Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Yukon is the smallest and second least-populous Canadian territory, located in the northwest part of the country. Yukon is well-known among tourists for its wild and mountainous geography including, Mount Logan, glaciers, trails, and the Alsek River. The economy of the territory is primarily based on mining, followed by tourism activities as well.  

Whitehorse, the capital city of the territory, is the largest settlement among all three territories. Individuals who seek to settle in a place with closely-tied communities and extensive wilds should consider Yukon.

Through the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), the territory invites newcomers to apply for permanent residency in Canada The YNP enables the territory to target potential immigrants with relevant skills and experience. Qualifying candidates can obtain a Yukon Provincial Nomination Certificate, and then they can apply for permanent residence in Canada with the Canadian government.

The YNP includes multiple programs for accepting applications. MakeHomeCanada has briefed all these programs below so that you can determine if YNP is the right option for you.    

Yukon Express Entry (YEE)

This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry stream. To be eligible under YEE stream, candidates must:

• Be eligible to apply under the Express Entry pool; and
• Have the intention to settle in Yukon may apply to the YEE stream. 

Applicants under this category are nominated based on a valid job offer from an employer in Yukon. The purpose is to meet the labour-market needs of the territories. Successful applicants can obtain permanent residency in Canada. 

To qualify for this stream, a candidate must:

• Be eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs, these are:

• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class

• Submit an Express Entry profile to obtain a Profile Number and if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code;
• Have sufficient financial resources to support himself and his accompanying family;
• Have a valid full-time job offer from an employer in Yukon; and
• Have the intent to live and work in Yukon.

YNP Skilled Worker Program

Under this stream, employers sponsor their eligible employees for Canadian permanent resident status. Sponsored applicants under this stream include candidates who are working in NOC codes 0, A, and B occupations. The purpose is to fill the job openings by recruiting skilled foreign nationals, for which qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not available in the area.

To qualify for this stream, a candidate must:

• Have relevant experience for at least one year and this experience may be outside of Yukon;
• Have relevant education and work experience required as per the job criteria mentioned in the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • NOTE: The least acceptable level of education is a high school diploma.
• Have a valid work permit throughout the YNP application and nomination process, if already residing in Canada while applying;
• Show proof of the following, if living in Canada on a study permit while applying:
  • One year of study for a certificate program;
  • Two years of study for a Bachelor degree or diploma program; or
  • Completion of a minimum of level eight in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program (for ESL students at Yukon College).
• Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in four abilities (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) in either English or French:
  • Meet an equivalent or above of CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A in either IELTS or CELPIP, or a minimum of 4 in each ability of TEF
  • Meet an equivalent or above of 5 in each ability for NOC B in either IELTS or CELPIP, or a minimum of 3 in each ability of TEF
  • Have to submit the test results (not older than two years) with the application from one of the following approved language tests to prove language proficiency:
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
    • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) 

YNP Critical Impact Worker Program

The YNP Critical Impact Worker stream allows the territory to nominate individuals who have received a valid offer of employment from a Yukon employer in a semi-skilled or unskilled position. These occupations must be falling under NOC skill level C or D. 

To qualify for this stream, candidates must:

• Show at least six months of directly related work experience;
• Have relevant education and work experience required as per the job criteria mentioned in the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • NOTE: The least acceptable level of education is a high school diploma.
• Have a valid work permit throughout the YNP application and nomination process, if already residing in Canada while applying;
• Show proof of the following, if living in Canada on a study permit while applying:
  • One year of study for a certificate program;
  • Two years of study for a Bachelor degree or diploma program; or
  • Completion of a minimum of level eight in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program (for ESL students at Yukon College).
• Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in four abilities (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) in either English or French:
  • Meet an equivalent or above of 4 in each ability in either IELTS or CELPIP, or a minimum of 3 in all four abilities of TEF
  • Have to submit the test results (not older than two years) with the application from one of the following approved language tests to prove language proficiency:
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – General Training Test only
    • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – General Test only
    • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) 

Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)

Under this stream, Yukon targets those individuals who are interested in establishing a new business in Yukon or purchasing or partnering with an existing business. Approved applicants receive a two-year work permit, and if he or she meets all the requirements stated in the application, then he or she may receive a nomination from the territory for Canadian permanent residence.

To qualify for this stream, candidates must:

• Score at least 65 points on the Nominee Assessment Grid (with at least 10 points for language ability);
• Have at least three years of entrepreneurial or managerial experience;
• Have at least five years of relevant experience related to the proposed business plan;
• Have a minimum net worth of CAD 500,000 as verified by a Yukon accounting firm;
• Have a minimum of CAD 300,000 in liquid assets as verified by a Yukon accounting firm;
• Show proof that claimed net worth and liquid assets have been acquired through legal means;
• Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in either English or French:
  • Have to submit the test results (not older than two years) with the application from one of the following approved language tests to prove your language proficiency:
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – at least or above CLB 6
    • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) – at least or above CLB 4
• Submit a Resettlement Plan showing their intent to establish Yukon residency; and
• Be willing to settle permanently in Yukon and operate a business in the territory.

Selection Factors

The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP)

Under this pilot project, applicants may be issued open work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP), who have job offers in one of the participating Yukon communities. The YCP targets potential immigrants who have a provincial nomination from the Yukon and eligible job offers from up to three employers in one of the six participating communities.

The current schedule of YCP project is from January 2020 to June 2023.

To qualify for this program, candidates must:

• Have a job offer in one of the six participating Yukon communities:
  • Carcross
  • Carmacks
  • Dawson City
  • Haines Junction
  • Watson Lake
  • Whitehorse
• Have up to three job offers in any one community that is equivalent to 1560 hours in a year;
• Have all job offers in the same community, either from same or different employers; and
• Show that each job is falling under the same NOC. 

Not sure how to proceed with the application process for YNP? Do not worry, Make home Canada is here to address all your immigration-related queries. Reach out to our expert immigration consultants to get a brief about the Canadian immigration process. We will guide you through different pathways including the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), to determine the best option for you to apply for Canadian residency. Let us join you on this immigration journey to Canada.