The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) allows Yukon to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence based on the territory's economic and labour market needs. Nominees then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to finalize their permanent residence.
The YNP is an entirely employer-driven program — only employers can initiate applications on behalf of foreign workers. Employers must demonstrate that no qualified Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available to fill the position, including through at least four weeks of local and national advertising before applying.
The YNP uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system with two intake periods per year. Nominations are prioritized based on territorial labour market needs and the applicant's connection to the Yukon. The total nomination allocation for 2026 is 282 nominations.
Note: The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) closed on June 30, 2025 and is no longer accepting applications.
Program streams
| Stream | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Employer-nominated workers in management or professional occupations requiring higher education (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). The employer applies on behalf of the worker and must demonstrate that recruitment efforts were exhausted before seeking an international candidate. |
| Critical Impact Worker | Employer-nominated workers in entry-level positions (NOC TEER 4 or 5) where there is a documented critical labour shortage in the Yukon. The same employer-driven application process and advertising requirements apply. |
| Yukon Express Entry | Candidates with an active federal Express Entry profile (under Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class) who have a job offer from a Yukon employer. Linked to the federal Express Entry system, allowing nominees to receive an expedited IRCC invitation after nomination. |
| Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) | Entrepreneurs with business ownership or management experience who intend to own and operate a business in Yukon. Applicants must demonstrate relevant business experience, minimum net worth, and a viable business plan for the territory. |
2026 intake and priorities
The YNP operates two intake periods each year. For 2026: - Intake 1: January 19–30, 2026 - Intake 2: July 6–17, 2026
Applications submitted outside these windows are not accepted. Employers must submit during the designated intake period.
Points are assigned to EOI submissions based on alignment with the territory's priorities. For 2026, the priority factors include: - Regulated healthcare professionals - Employers located in rural Yukon - Foreign nationals who have lived and worked in the Yukon for at least one year - Graduates of Yukon University - French-speaking (Francophone) candidates - Candidates who received a Temporary Measure Letter of Support in 2024 or 2025
How to apply
Employer registers and applies
The Yukon employer, not the foreign national, initiates the application during an open intake period through the YNP online portal.
EOI submission
The employer submits an EOI on behalf of the candidate. Both parties sign a Tripartite Agreement (Government of Yukon, employer, and nominee) as part of the process.
Selection
EOIs are ranked and highest-scoring candidates receive invitations to apply for a full nomination.
Full application
The employer and candidate together complete the full nomination application with required documentation.
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
After receiving the nomination certificate, the nominee submits their federal PR application. Yukon Express Entry nominees receive an expedited IRCC invitation.
Processing times
Because the YNP operates on a twice-yearly intake schedule, the timeline from EOI submission to a nomination decision spans multiple months. Employers and candidates should plan around the intake windows. Processing times for the Business Nominee Program are longer due to the business plan review process. Confirm current timelines at yukon.ca before advising applicants.
Related links
- Northwest Territories PNP - British Columbia PNP - Alberta PNP - Saskatchewan PNP
--- *Sources: Government of Yukon, yukon.ca Yukon Nominee Program pages, current as of July 2026. The Yukon Community Pilot closed June 30, 2025. Intake dates and priority factors are announced annually; confirm the 2026 intake schedule and current priorities at yukon.ca before advising applicants.*