Overview of the Yukon Provincial Nominee Program

The smallest and the westernmost territory of Canada, Yukon boasts of having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the Maple Leaf country. The territory has abundant natural resources, an advanced transportation system, a robust economy, and a welcoming local population. The name of the territory is derived from an aboriginal word, "Yu-kun-ah," which means "Great River," referring to the Yukon River. While there is plenty of land available, the population of Yukon is only around 35,000 people, which makes the territory less crowded.

The benefits of choosing Yukon as your immigration destination include:

• Lucrative job market
• Lowest Unemployment rates
• Potential to earn up to CAD 17.59 per hour
• Plenty of land available
• No sales tax payable
• Avail settlement support and guidance
• Skilled and educated workforce
• Friendly local population
• One of the strongest economies among Canadian territories

Yukon reports several job vacancies across various sectors, especially in the mining and tourism sectors. The territory is in dire need of a skilled workforce to meet the labor market requirements of the province. The Government of Yukon targets to invite skilled foreign professionals via the Yukon Provincial Nominee Program, which is officially named the Yukon Nominee Program.

 

What is the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)?

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is a part of the Canadian Provincial Nominee programs which aims to bring in foreign skilled workers to fill labour market gaps of the territory. The YNP nominates skilled workers with the potential to contribute towards the economic development of the territory.

The Program accepts candidates residing inside or outside Canada. The territory holds draws to identify and nominate foreign talents from whom the labor market and the economy of the territory would benefit. Immigrants who qualify under the YNP can work and settle in the territory as Canadian Permanent Residents.

 

How many streams are there in the Yukon Nominee Program?

The Yukon Nominee Program offers four main streams. Each immigration targets to invite a specific group of immigrants and the eligibility requirement differ for each. Certain streams are further divided into sub-streams that focus on a particular group of immigrants associated with a definite job role or occupational sector.

Skilled professionals willing to work and settle in Yukon can apply for YNP under one of the streams mentioned below:

• Yukon Express Entry (YEE)
• Skilled Worker
• Critical Impact Worker
• Yukon Community Program

The stream to be chosen for application is determined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of the job role you are associated with. However, after the introduction of the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories in 2022, the Government of Canada uses the TEER category to determine the stream of applicants.

Applicants with job roles listed under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 must apply for the Skilled Worker stream and the Express Entry stream. Applicants associated with TEER 4 or 5 occupations must apply under the Critical Impact Worker stream.

The Yukon Nominee Program allows both workers as well as employers to apply for the Program. While foreign workers might apply for the Program to work and settle in the territory, employers must apply for the Program if they wish to hire foreign workers for a job role that is not locally available. Employers willing to nominate a skilled worker can apply to the Skilled Worker or Express Entry stream.

 

Yukon Express Entry Stream (YEE)

The Yukon Express Entry can be used by employers to work or recruit skilled workers for the territory of Yukon. This stream is aligned with the federal Express Entry system managed by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Employers can hire foreign skilled workers through this stream only if the job role they are hiring for is listed under TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.

As a skilled worker, you would be eligible for selection in this category if:

• Have a valid Express Entry profile
• Have a valid Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker Validation  Code
• Have received a valid full-time employment offer from a Yukon employer
• Meet the Express Entry requirements
• Have a minimum language proficiency level equivalent to CLB 7 (for TEER 0 or 1 occupations)
• Have sufficient settlement funds(based on your family size) to support yourself in the territory
• Have police clearance reports and medical fitness records demonstrating your admissibility to Canada
• Are willing to work and settle in Yukon permanently

Employers looking to recruit foreign workers can use Canada's job bank or the Express Entry pool of candidates to look for suitable applicants. As an employer, you must demonstrate that no local candidates are available for the job role you want to recruit for. The employer and the worker must fill out the Yukon Express Entry application form for further procedures.

Once the nomination is initiated by the employer, the skilled worker must accept the nomination within the given time period and submit their Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation along with other documents required.

The following are the documents to be submitted by a skilled worker who has received a YEE nomination:

• A valid passport with a minimum
• Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker validation code
• Language test results
• Academic qualification details
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA) Reports
• Written employment offer details
• Documents to show your work experience
• Proof of funds
• Police clearance reports
• Medical test reports
• YEE application form
• Proof of relationship with family members already in Canada

Yukon Express Entry Stream applications are usually processed within 8 to 10 weeks, and applicants receive PR within 6 months of application.

 

Yukon Skilled Worker Stream

The Skilled Stream under YNP aims to invite skilled foreign workers whose job roles are listed under the NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories but do not have an Express Entry profile. Employers willing to recruit foreign workers for job roles that fall under the above-mentioned TEER categories can apply under this stream.

As a skilled worker, you would be eligible for nomination under this stream if you meet the minimum requirements detailed in the table below:

TEER 0 and 1 job roles	TEER 2 and 3 job roles
Minimum 12 months of full-time work experience	Minimum 12 months of full-time work experience
Minimum language proficiency level of CLB 5 or equivalent	Minimum language proficiency level of CLB 6 or equivalent
High school diploma or something equivalent according to Canadian standards	High school diploma or something equivalent according to Canadian standards
Higher education required for the specific job role	Higher education required for the specific job role

 

The following are the documents required to be submitted by the skilled workers who receive a nomination under this stream:

• A valid passport with a minimum
• Language test results
• Academic qualification details
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA) Reports
• Written employment offer details
• Documents to show your work experience
• Proof of funds
• Police clearance reports
• Medical test reports
• Proof of relationship with family members already in Canada

Skilled Worker applications under YNP can be submitted throughout the year and are generally processed within 12 to 14 weeks starting from the time a complete application is submitted. Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis. You will be notified about the decision once the application has been reviewed and verified. With a valid work permit and temporary resident status, you can continue working and maintain your status as a foreign worker while your application is being processed.

 

Critical Impact Worker Stream

The Critical Impact Worker Stream is designed to invite skilled workers whose job roles are listed under the TEER 4 or 5 categories. Yukon employers who are looking for foreign skilled workers for a job role under the above-mentioned categories can apply for this stream.

As a skilled worker, you would be eligible for nomination under this stream if you:

• Have minimum 6 months of full-time work experience relevant to your job role
• Have a minimum language proficiency level of CLB 4 or equivalent
• Hold a high school diploma or a degree equivalent and accepted as per Canadian standards
• Have the relevant skills and educational qualifications required for the job role
• Have zero criminal records against your name
• Are willing to work and settle permanently in the territory

The following are the documents required to be submitted by the skilled workers who receive a nomination under this stream:

• A valid passport with a minimum
• Language test results
• Academic qualification details
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA) Reports
• Written employment offer details
• Documents to show your work experience
• Proof of funds
• Police clearance reports
• Medical test reports
• Proof of relationship with family members already in Canada

The processing time for Critical Impact Worker applications is around 12 to 14 weeks. The YNP will review your application and notify you of their decision within that time. Completed applications are only considered for review while incomplete applications are rejected in this stage itself. Critical Impact Worker applications are dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis. Valid work permit holders with temporary resident status can continue working while their application is being processed.

 

Yukon Community Program (YCP)

The Yukon Community Program (YCP) was launched by the YNP in January 2020 to facilitate the recruitment of seasonal workers to Yukon. The Program was earlier named the Yukon Community Pilot Program. THE YCP aims to provide flexibility to Yukon employers to address the territory's seasonal employment requirements. 

The main objective of this Program is to retain workers and facilitate the economic growth of communities outside Whitehorse, but Whitehorse employers are also eligible to apply. The Program was launched with an intention to develop a viable labor market outside Whitehorse with a workforce willing to work and settle in an eligible community. YCP focuses on inviting small to medium-sized community businesses in Yukon that would usually be ineligible for other Yukon Nominee Program streams.

The Yukon Community Program is designed for employers from:

• Carcross
• Dawson City
• Carmacks
• Watson Lake
• Haines Junction and
• Whitehorse

You would be eligible to apply for the Yukon Community Program if:

• You are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident holder
• Your business has been operating for at least a year at the time of application
• Your business is not involved in any current labour market disputes
• Your business has good reviews from the following:
  • Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board
  • The Government of Yukon’s Corporate Affairs Branch and
  • The Government of Yukon’s Employment Standards Branch

Documents required to apply for YCP are listed below:

• Proof of civil status and nationality
• Proof of educational qualification documents
• ECA reports
• Business documentation
• Net Worth Verification reports
• Recent bank statements
• Proof of funds
• Police clearance reports
• Medical test reports
• Proof of relationship with family members already in Canada

The processing time for Yukon Community program applications is around 6 months and aims at a faster processing time to facilitate easy immigration and retention of workers.

 

Yukon Business Nominee Program(YBNP)

Yukon invites skilled foreign businesspersons willing to migrate to Yukon and run their own business in the province. The Yukon Business Nomine Program aims to invite eligible business owners who would be able to contribute to the economic development of the province by selling their products or services.

As a business owner, you would be eligible for this Program if you:

• Have scored more than 65 points on the assessment grid
• Hold a high school diploma or a higher degree as required for your business
• Have a minimum 5 years experience of owning or actively managing a business
• Have no other active nominations from any other Canadian province
• Have a minimum net worth of CAD 500,000 acquired via legal means
• Have liquid assets such as cash bonds and derivatives worth at least CAD 300,000
• Can show the business plan of how you plan to invest a minimum of CAD 300,000 in capital investments
• Do not have a business in Yukon already
• Are willing to settle in the province as a Canadian PR holder

Your business would be eligible to be considered for the Program if it is:

• A new business venture or a purchase of an existing and successful business in Yukon
• Owned and managed by you
• An active investment on your part
• Associated with any of the following sectors:
  • Information technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Value-added processing
  • Forestry
  • Tourism product, attraction, service and facility
  • Energy
  • Mining or mineral development
  • Agriculture
  • Cultural industry
  • Film and video production

The following are the steps to apply for the YBNP:

Step 1: Fill out the application form

Step 2: Gather the documents required

Step 3: Submit the application form along with the IMM 5676 Representative Form

Step 4: Wait for a decision

You will be notified about the decision on your application within 12 to 14 weeks. Approved applicants will enter a candidate pool for 6 months among which selected candidates will be called for an in-person interview to demonstrate their business plan. If your business plan is approved, you will receive a 2-year work permit and a chance to apply for PR.

 

Yukon Nominee Program Eligibility

The streams under the Yukon Nominee Program have different eligibility requirements for each. However, certain eligibility requirements are common for all streams. In most cases, Yukon employers looking to hire foreign talent must apply under the stream as per their requirements. Workers cannot apply for themselves.

However, as a skilled worker, you will be eligible for the Yukon Nominee Program if you:

• Are aged between 22 and 55 years
• Have a valid employment offer from Yukon employer
• Have at least 6 months to 1 year of professional work experience
• Have scored above 65 points in the YNP Points Assessment Grid
• Intend to work and live permanently in Yukon

 

YNP Requirements

The following are the documents required for the Yukon Nominee Program:

• Completely filled out YNP application form
• Language test results
• Employment records demonstrating prior work experience
• Educational Qualification documents (including ECA Reports, if applicable)
• Passport and other travel-related documents
• Temporary work permits
• Valid business license (if applicable )
• Police clearance reports
• Medical fitness reports

Wage Requirement

Employers recruiting foreign workers through YNP must make sure that:

• The wage offered to the worker is more than the current median wage set by the federal government or the minimum wage set by the Yukon Government
• The annual salary of the worker is equal to or higher than the low-income cut-off (LICO), excluding the tax rate based on family size

 

Yukon PNP Processing Times and Fees

Yukon Nominee Program generally processes applications within 8 to 14 weeks. However, the processing time varies based on the stream under which you have applied. No processing fee is charged to Yukon Nominee program applicants.

 

What to do if you receive a nomination?

Once you receive a nomination certificate from the YNP, you must apply for Canadian PR within the time period given to you.

Applying for Canada PR involves a simple three-step process mentioned below:

Step 1: Gather the documents required according to the checklist

Step 2: Fill out the PR application form  

Step 3: Complete the fee payment

Once your fee payment is done, you will receive the following from IRCC:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
• PR visa
• Letter having details about your COPR and other requisites

 

What to do if you do not receive a nomination?

Your YNP application might be rejected or cancelled for certain reasons. The YNP will notify you about the grounds of rejection in a letter or via mail. You can reapply once you have rectified the mistakes in the application you submitted earlier.

Common mistakes to avoid for Yukon Nominee Program

You must avoid making the following mistakes for the Yukon Nominee Program:

• Not keeping your profile updated
• Not checking specific requirements for each stream
• Providing an incomplete application form
• Submitting false or incomplete documents
• Not checking the eligibility criteria

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, has been providing unbiased immigration services for every client. Our team of visa and immigration experts will provide step-by-step assistance to help you migrate and settle in your dream destination. The services we provide include:

• Arranging the immigration document checklist
• Filling out application forms
• Documentation and petition filing
• Getting you updates and follow-ups
• Finding relevant jobs with Y-Axis Job Search Services
• Obtaining Canadian Permanent Residence