Yukon Territory (YNP) of Canada
Migration Program Details & Application
Program Overview
Project Description
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is an immigration pathway established by the Yukon Territory Government in partnership with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to attract skilled workers to fill labor shortages in the Yukon. This program is employer-driven, meaning nomination must be made by a Yukon employer; individuals cannot apply directly.
Key data for 2026: 282 quotas for the year, providing two opportunities for employers to submit applications.
• Phase 1: January 19th to January 30th, 2026 (Deadline)
• Phase Two: July 6th to July 17th, 2026
• Key policy shift in 2026: From employers submitting applications "at any time" to submitting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) within a fixed window period to participate in a scoring and queuing process, with YNP issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on merit.
• Quota comparison with previous years: Compared to the lower levels from 2019 to 2022, the quota has been increasing year by year, reaching a peak of approximately 430 in 2024 due to a large number of provincial nominations. The 282 quota in 2026 is a decrease of approximately 34% compared to 2024.
YNP offers four application channels: classified according to the applicant's occupational NOC TEER level.
• Skilled Worker: Targeted at TEER 0/1/2/3 level technical occupations.
• Express Entry: For applicants who meet the requirements for the federal Express Entry pool and whose occupation is in the TEER 0/1/2/3 category, approval will grant them additional points in the BC Provincial Nominee Program in the EE system.
• Critical Impact Worker: For TEER 4/5 level semi-skilled or entry-level positions.
• Business Nominee Program (YBNP): Open to overseas entrepreneurs who need to establish or acquire a business in the Yukon.
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is an immigration pathway established by the Yukon Territory Government in partnership with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to attract skilled workers to fill labor shortages in the Yukon. This program is employer-driven, meaning nomination must be made by a Yukon employer; individuals cannot apply directly.
Key data for 2026: 282 quotas for the year, providing two opportunities for employers to submit applications.
• Phase 1: January 19th to January 30th, 2026 (Deadline)
• Phase Two: July 6th to July 17th, 2026
• Key policy shift in 2026: From employers submitting applications "at any time" to submitting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) within a fixed window period to participate in a scoring and queuing process, with YNP issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on merit.
• Quota comparison with previous years: Compared to the lower levels from 2019 to 2022, the quota has been increasing year by year, reaching a peak of approximately 430 in 2024 due to a large number of provincial nominations. The 282 quota in 2026 is a decrease of approximately 34% compared to 2024.
YNP offers four application channels: classified according to the applicant's occupational NOC TEER level.
• Skilled Worker: Targeted at TEER 0/1/2/3 level technical occupations.
• Express Entry: For applicants who meet the requirements for the federal Express Entry pool and whose occupation is in the TEER 0/1/2/3 category, approval will grant them additional points in the BC Provincial Nominee Program in the EE system.
• Critical Impact Worker: For TEER 4/5 level semi-skilled or entry-level positions.
• Business Nominee Program (YBNP): Open to overseas entrepreneurs who need to establish or acquire a business in the Yukon.
Eligibility & Requirements
Applicant requirements
YNP is employer-centric, with all applications starting with the employer's Expression of Interest (EOI). Furthermore, different application channels have different requirements for applicants.
B1. Comparison of Requirements for Core Application Channels
Key Information Points: Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker, Express Entry, Business Nominee
Job Title | NOC | TEER Level | TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 | TEER 4, 5 | TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 | Not Applicable
Work experience requirements: at least 12 months of full-time relevant work experience within the past 10 years; at least 6 months of relevant work experience to meet the federal Express Entry pool requirements; at least 3 years of experience as a business owner or executive.
EE pool entry is not required, not necessary, not required
Minimum language requirements: TEER 0/1: CLB 7 (≈ IELTS 6 in each band); TEER 2/3: CLB 5, CLB 4 (same as the minimum requirement for the EE pathway, usually CLB 7); CLB 6.
The highest degree is not applicable. This is not explicitly stated, but a scoring item is provided.
The employer offer must be a full-time, permanent job offer from a qualified Yukon employer. (Note: This does not apply to offers requiring self-employment.)
Net asset requirement: Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. CAD 500,000 or more.
Minimum investment amount: Not applicable. Not applicable. CAD 300,000 or more.
Job/selection requirements depend on the employer's LMIA exemption process. There is no independent LMIA assessment. The LMIA exemption process requires the submission of a business plan and screening through EOI scoring.
Other supplementary employers must also meet certification and pre-employment requirements. An LMIA is not required. A tripartite agreement must be signed and business commitments fulfilled.
B2. Employer Qualification Requirements
• Have been operating continuously in the Yukon for at least one year (with both registered office and local office).
• Recruit from overseas only after providing a full-time, permanent job offer and proving that there are no suitable local employees.
YNP is employer-centric, with all applications starting with the employer's Expression of Interest (EOI). Furthermore, different application channels have different requirements for applicants.
B1. Comparison of Requirements for Core Application Channels
Key Information Points: Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker, Express Entry, Business Nominee
Job Title | NOC | TEER Level | TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 | TEER 4, 5 | TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 | Not Applicable
Work experience requirements: at least 12 months of full-time relevant work experience within the past 10 years; at least 6 months of relevant work experience to meet the federal Express Entry pool requirements; at least 3 years of experience as a business owner or executive.
EE pool entry is not required, not necessary, not required
Minimum language requirements: TEER 0/1: CLB 7 (≈ IELTS 6 in each band); TEER 2/3: CLB 5, CLB 4 (same as the minimum requirement for the EE pathway, usually CLB 7); CLB 6.
The highest degree is not applicable. This is not explicitly stated, but a scoring item is provided.
The employer offer must be a full-time, permanent job offer from a qualified Yukon employer. (Note: This does not apply to offers requiring self-employment.)
Net asset requirement: Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. CAD 500,000 or more.
Minimum investment amount: Not applicable. Not applicable. CAD 300,000 or more.
Job/selection requirements depend on the employer's LMIA exemption process. There is no independent LMIA assessment. The LMIA exemption process requires the submission of a business plan and screening through EOI scoring.
Other supplementary employers must also meet certification and pre-employment requirements. An LMIA is not required. A tripartite agreement must be signed and business commitments fulfilled.
B2. Employer Qualification Requirements
• Have been operating continuously in the Yukon for at least one year (with both registered office and local office).
• Recruit from overseas only after providing a full-time, permanent job offer and proving that there are no suitable local employees.
Application Process & Advice
suggestion
• Unified recommendation: There are 5 priority categories in 2026, covering healthcare, employers in remote areas, local experience, Yukon University graduates and French speakers.
• Employer Preparation: Yukon employers must ensure they submit their materials during the Expression of Interest (EOI) window, as this step has strict time limits. Employers who have previously submitted an EOI but have not yet received an ITA can receive additional points in the new window. Those who have already received a 2024/2025 Provisional Measures Letter do not need to resubmit an EOI.
• Applicant Preparation: Since YNP is based on an employer nomination system, the applicant's primary task is to actively seek out qualified employers and full-time job opportunities in the Yukon, and improve their competitiveness in the EOI by leveraging past work experience and language proficiency.
• Entrepreneur Pathway Recommendations: It is recommended to develop a business plan targeting remote communities and local advantageous industries; ensure that the source of funds is legal and compliant, with net assets of CAD 500,000 and an investment of CAD 300,000 in actual operations; and prepare a detailed business plan and site visits (if applicable).
• Key Risk Self-Assessment: The quota has been significantly reduced from 430 in 2024 to 282, leading to fierce competition. Given that missing the application window means a six-month wait, employers should plan ahead. If the position is in Whitehorse, be aware of the risk of application suspension; employers in remote areas have a greater advantage.
Yukon Territory (YNP) Application Process
The YNP is essentially an "employer-first" program, with individuals playing only a supporting role if they meet the requirements.
• Employer submission of EOI: Employers shall submit the EOI form online between July 6 and 17, 2026, which includes the applicant’s basic information (or previously unselected bonus points).
• EOI system scoring and selection: YNP scores employers based on their EOI information and issues formal invitations to apply (ITAs) to employers with high scores.
• Employer submits formal provincial nomination application: The employer appoints a licensed representative to guide the submission of all materials and payment of the provincial nomination application fee within 30 days.
• Signing a Tripartite Agreement (TPA): After the application is approved, the three parties sign a TPA, which stipulates the regulatory conditions such as employment and residence after nomination.
• Applicants apply for permanent residency to the federal government: After being granted provincial nomination, the principal applicant must submit a federal-stage application for permanent residency (PR) to IRCC within 6 months.
Note: This is the basic worker pathway process. Entrepreneur applicants, after receiving a support letter from YBNP, must first apply for a work visa to enter the country and fulfill their business plan. Only after meeting the requirements can they receive a provincial nomination certificate. All application conditions and procedures are subject to change at any time; it is recommended to contact the Yukon government or authorized agencies to confirm the latest information.
• Unified recommendation: There are 5 priority categories in 2026, covering healthcare, employers in remote areas, local experience, Yukon University graduates and French speakers.
• Employer Preparation: Yukon employers must ensure they submit their materials during the Expression of Interest (EOI) window, as this step has strict time limits. Employers who have previously submitted an EOI but have not yet received an ITA can receive additional points in the new window. Those who have already received a 2024/2025 Provisional Measures Letter do not need to resubmit an EOI.
• Applicant Preparation: Since YNP is based on an employer nomination system, the applicant's primary task is to actively seek out qualified employers and full-time job opportunities in the Yukon, and improve their competitiveness in the EOI by leveraging past work experience and language proficiency.
• Entrepreneur Pathway Recommendations: It is recommended to develop a business plan targeting remote communities and local advantageous industries; ensure that the source of funds is legal and compliant, with net assets of CAD 500,000 and an investment of CAD 300,000 in actual operations; and prepare a detailed business plan and site visits (if applicable).
• Key Risk Self-Assessment: The quota has been significantly reduced from 430 in 2024 to 282, leading to fierce competition. Given that missing the application window means a six-month wait, employers should plan ahead. If the position is in Whitehorse, be aware of the risk of application suspension; employers in remote areas have a greater advantage.
Yukon Territory (YNP) Application Process
The YNP is essentially an "employer-first" program, with individuals playing only a supporting role if they meet the requirements.
• Employer submission of EOI: Employers shall submit the EOI form online between July 6 and 17, 2026, which includes the applicant’s basic information (or previously unselected bonus points).
• EOI system scoring and selection: YNP scores employers based on their EOI information and issues formal invitations to apply (ITAs) to employers with high scores.
• Employer submits formal provincial nomination application: The employer appoints a licensed representative to guide the submission of all materials and payment of the provincial nomination application fee within 30 days.
• Signing a Tripartite Agreement (TPA): After the application is approved, the three parties sign a TPA, which stipulates the regulatory conditions such as employment and residence after nomination.
• Applicants apply for permanent residency to the federal government: After being granted provincial nomination, the principal applicant must submit a federal-stage application for permanent residency (PR) to IRCC within 6 months.
Note: This is the basic worker pathway process. Entrepreneur applicants, after receiving a support letter from YBNP, must first apply for a work visa to enter the country and fulfill their business plan. Only after meeting the requirements can they receive a provincial nomination certificate. All application conditions and procedures are subject to change at any time; it is recommended to contact the Yukon government or authorized agencies to confirm the latest information.