The Yukon Nominee Program's 2025 Intake System

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) offers skilled workers, business owners, and graduates a streamlined pathway to Canadian permanent residency. Designed to address Yukon's labor market needs, this program helps employers hire qualified foreign talent. With faster processing times than federal immigration programs, YNP is an attractive option for newcomers. Understanding its eligibility criteria and application process is essential for a successful nomination.

For more details about the updates to the Yukon Nominee Program, take a look at our guide’s breakdown of the YNP 2025 intake system.

New Intake System For Yukon Nominee Program in 2025

The Government of Yukon is introducing a new intake-based approach for the YNP in 2025. Under this system, applications will be accepted in fixed intakes, with a set number of nominations available each period. This change is intended to improve the management of applications and ensure a more strategic allocation of available nominations. Starting January 29, 2025, the YNP will open its first intake of the year, accepting a maximum of 125 applications.

Once this limit is reached, the intake will close until the next scheduled period. While the YNP expects to hold quarterly intakes, no fixed schedule has been established. The frequency and size of future intakes will depend on the number of nominations allocated by the Canadian government. Yukon has requested an increase in its nomination allocation for 2025, though approval has not yet been confirmed.

Reasons for the Change

Previously, the YNP accepted applications throughout the year without specific intake periods or limits. However, in 2024, the program experienced a surge in applications that far exceeded its nomination allocation. In response, the government temporarily stopped accepting applications from employers in Whitehorse, the territory’s capital.

The new intake process aims to distribute applications more evenly over the year and prevent overwhelming demand from delaying processing times. For 2025, the Canadian government has allocated Yukon 215 nominations, representing a significant 50% reduction from the 2024 allocation. Given this constraint, the YNP is adjusting to ensure that the available nominations are used effectively to address the region’s most critical labor shortages.

Delays And Adjustments

The YNP had initially planned to reopen applications from all employers on January 29, 2025, at 9:00 AM Yukon Time. However, following the announcement of the reduced nominee allocation on January 15, the Department of Economic Development engaged with industry organizations to reassess the intake process. As a result, the planned January intake has been delayed.

This postponement allows the government to refine its strategy for processing applications in 2025, ensuring that the limited number of nominations is distributed most effectively. Another significant change is introducing a new requirement from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), stating that at least 75% of all nominations must be from temporary residents already within Canada.

This policy shift will influence how the YNP selects applicants, prioritizing those already contributing to the Yukon workforce. The program will no longer accept applications from employers in rural communities after January 22 at 4:30 PM Yukon Time. Once intake resumes, applications from both Whitehorse-based and community-based employers will be considered equally.

The Yukon government is committed to informing employers and applicants as the new system is implemented. Further updates will be provided as soon as possible. The Canadian government also advocates for increased nomination allocations to support the territory’s labor market needs.

How Will The Yukon Nominee Program Intake System Work in 2025?

By 2025, the YNP intake system will continue streamlining the process for Canadian employers and foreign workers, ensuring a smooth transition from temporary work permits to Canadian permanent residency. Here’s a detailed look at how the system will work.

Step 1: Job Advertisement and Recruitment

Canadian employers eligible for the YNP must first advertise the job position locally and nationally. This process ensures no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents can take the role. Canadian employers must demonstrate that they have made every effort to hire domestically, including using job boards, advertisements, and recruitment efforts.

Suppose no suitable candidate is found after the advertisement period. In that case, the employer can then proceed with the YNP to fill the position with a foreign national who meets the necessary qualifications.

Step 2: Choosing the Right YNP Stream

Once confirmed that no Canadian or permanent resident is available for the position, the Canadian employer reviews the criteria for the various YNP streams. These streams are tailored to address different employment needs, such as those for skilled workers, critical impact workers, or business applicants.

By reviewing the details of each stream, the Canadian employer can choose the one that aligns best with the job requirements and the specific qualifications of the foreign national. Selecting the right stream is vital in ensuring the application's success and that the foreign worker qualifies for the program.

Step 3: Offering the Position and Completing Forms

The next step involves the Canadian employer offering a full-time, permanent job position to a foreign national who meets the necessary qualifications. The Canadian employer and the candidate must complete all required YNP application forms. These forms include detailed information about the:

• Job position,
• Canadian employer,
• Work experience,
• Education, and
• Skills.

Completing these forms is a critical part of the application process, as they ensure all necessary information is provided for review by the YNP.

Step 4: Submitting the Application

Once the required forms are filled out, the Canadian employer must ensure that all documents, including supporting materials, are complete and accurate. The application is then submitted to the YNP for review and approval.

After the application is approved, your Canadian employer must pay the compliance fee and submit the letter of offer to IRCC through the Employer Portal. This submission ensures that the candidate’s information is forwarded to IRCC for further processing.

Step 5: Nomination and Visa Requirements

Once the application is approved, the foreign national officially becomes a nominee under the YNP. If the nominee currently lives outside of Canada, they must follow the Canadian visa application process in their country of residence, complying with the specific requirements set by IRCC.

If the nominee is already in Canada on a temporary resident permit, they can continue working until their permit expires. At that point, the nominee can either apply for a new work permit or request a renewal of their existing permit.

Step 6: Signing the Tri-Partite Agreement

After the nominee is approved, the employer, nominee, and the Government of Yukon must sign a Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA). This formal agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party involved. It ensures that the Canadian employer adheres to the guidelines of the YNP and that the nominee will comply with the requirements for permanent residency. Signing the TPA is a critical step before proceeding to the next stage of the immigration process.

Step 7: Applying for Permanent Residency

Within six months of signing the TPA, the nominee must apply for Canadian permanent residency to IRCC. During this time, the nominee works for the employer under a temporary work permit. While the Canadian permanent residency application is being processed, the nominee must wait for approval, as it could take several months for IRCC to make a final decision. This period allows the nominee to contribute to the Yukon economy while awaiting Canadian permanent residency.

Step 8: Admissibility Checks and Final Approval

Before receiving Canadian permanent residency, the nominee must undergo a series of admissibility checks conducted by IRCC. These checks include a review of the nominee’s security, health, and criminal history.

If the nominee passes all these assessments, IRCC will proceed to approve the permanent residency application. Once the application is fully processed and approved, the nominee will officially become a permanent resident of Canada and be able to live and work in Yukon indefinitely.

How do I Submit a Yukon Nominee Program Application?

Submitting a YNP application involves a structured process to ensure Canadian employers and foreign nationals meet the program’s requirements. Research and guidelines from the Government of Yukon and IRCC outline the following steps.

Job Advertisement and Recruitment

Before applying, Canadian employers must advertise the job position locally and nationally for at least four weeks to demonstrate that no qualified Canadian or permanent resident is available. This step is mandatory to comply with YNP’s labor market testing requirements.

Determine Eligibility

Canadian employers and candidates must review the eligibility criteria for the specific YNP stream they are applying under, such as the Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker, or Business Nominee streams. Each stream has unique requirements related to job offers, work experience, and qualifications.

Complete Required Forms

The Canadian employer and the foreign national must complete and sign the necessary application forms. These include the job offer form, employer forms, and the nominee’s personal information forms. Supporting documents, such as proof of work experience, educational credentials, and language test results, must also be prepared.

Submit the Application

The Canadian employer gathers all completed forms, including the job offer form, employer forms, and the nominee’s personal information forms, along with supporting documents such as proof of work experience, educational credentials, and language test results. These materials are then submitted to the YNP office for review.

Pay Fees

Once the YNP application is approved, the employer must pay a compliance fee, a mandatory step. This fee ensures the Canadian employer remains committed to adhering to the program’s requirements and obligations throughout the nominee’s transition to Canadian permanent residency. Failure to pay the fee may result in the application being put on hold or denied.

Follow-up With IRCC

After receiving YNP approval, the nominee must apply for Canadian permanent residency to IRCC within six months. This step involves completing additional forms, paying applicable fees, and undergoing admissibility checks, including security, health, and criminality assessments.

FAQs

Is the YNP Still a Good Option for Permanent Residence?

Yes, the YNP remains a viable pathway to permanent residence in Canada, especially for individuals seeking a unique lifestyle and career opportunities in a growing territory. The program prioritizes skilled workers and entrepreneurs who can contribute to Yukon's economy, offering a potentially less competitive route than other provincial nominee programs.

How Often Will Future Intakes Occur?

The frequency of future YNP intakes can vary, and staying updated through official government channels is essential. While the program typically has multiple intakes throughout the year, the specific dates and number of intakes are subject to change based on Yukon's economic needs and immigration targets.

Can I Include My Family Members in the YNP Application?

Yes, you can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your YNP application. Once you receive a nomination from Yukon, they can apply for permanent residence along with you. Providing complete and accurate information about your family members is vital for a smooth immigration process.