Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) — employer-driven pathways for skilled workers, critical impact workers, Express Entry candidates, and entrepreneurs in Canada's North
One of Canada's most distinctive immigration programs — fully employer-driven, with no application option for foreign workers acting alone. In 2026, the YNP introduced a competitive Expression of Interest system where employers submit EOIs scored against territorial priorities. The Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP), operating separately, is the territory's pathway for entrepreneurs.
2026 intake: 282 nominations allocated. EOI intake #1: January 19–30 (closed). EOI intake #2: July 6–17, 2026 — the next window for new applications. Priority given to healthcare workers, established Yukon residents, Yukon University graduates, Francophones, and rural employers. Nominee must apply for PR within 6 months of approval.
Critical: Foreign workers cannot apply to the YNP independently. Only employers can submit the EOI and full application. There is no published numerical points grid for the worker streams — EOIs are scored against qualitative priority criteria. The YBNP (Business) does have a published points grid requiring minimum 56 points.
Have a question about the Yukon Nominee Program?
What stream fits your occupation? How do you prepare for the July 2026 EOI window? Message us on WhatsApp — we reply within hours on business days.
Overview
What is the YNP — and how does the 2026 EOI process work?
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) allows the Government of Yukon to nominate foreign workers for Canadian permanent residency when no qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available to fill positions. With a population of just over 40,000, Yukon faces ongoing labour shortages across sectors — from healthcare and mining to tourism, trades, and retail. The YNP is entirely employer-driven: the employer submits the Expression of Interest and all application forms. A foreign worker cannot initiate a YNP application independently.
In 2026, the YNP replaced its previous first-come, first-served intake with a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) system for both intake periods. Employers submit an EOI during one of two 12-day intake windows. After each window closes, EOIs are scored against Yukon's published priority criteria and the highest-scoring employers receive Letters of Invitation to apply. Those not invited in one intake can resubmit for the next — and 2025 EOI applicants who were not previously invited receive bonus points in 2026.
YNP 2026 process — from EOI to permanent residence:
Intake #2 — July 6–17, 2026: This is the final intake for 2026. Invitations are sent after the window closes. Applications must be submitted before the deadline. The express entry pathway follows a faster federal process (~6 months PR), while base stream nominees apply to IRCC via paper-based process. Processing at the provincial level: approximately 8–10 weeks after a complete application is received.
YNP — Worker Streams (employer submits all applications)
Three streams, chosen based on the NOC TEER level of the job offer
The TEER category of the job determines the stream — neither the employer nor the worker can choose otherwise. All three streams require a full-time, year-round job offer from an eligible Yukon employer. No LMIA is required — the employer pays a $230 IRCC Employer Compliance Fee instead. The employer must pay at least the Yukon median wage for the relevant NOC.
Skilled Worker Stream — management, professional, technical, and trade occupations
For occupations requiring formal education, specialized training, or professional certification. Base stream — direct PR application to IRCC (paper-based). Faster processing available via the Express Entry stream if you have an active EE profile.
Job offer
Full-time, year-round, permanent from eligible Yukon employer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. At or above Yukon median wage.
Work experience
Minimum 1 year of related experience for the specific position being filled
Language — TEER 0 and 1
Minimum CLB 6 in English or French across all four skills
Language — TEER 2 and 3
Minimum CLB 5 in English or French across all four skills
Education
Minimum high school diploma; higher education and training as required by the NOC and job description
If in Canada
Must hold a valid work permit or valid study permit (studies must be completed before YNP application)
Critical Impact Worker Stream — entry-level and semi-skilled positions
For year-round essential positions in sectors like tourism, hospitality, retail, transportation, and food services that cannot be filled by local workers. One of the most accessible nomination pathways in the Yukon for workers without post-secondary credentials. Base stream only (not linked to Express Entry).
Job offer
Full-time, year-round, permanent from eligible Yukon employer in NOC TEER 4 or 5. At or above Yukon median wage.
Work experience
Minimum 6 months of related experience for the position
Language
Minimum CLB 4 in English or French across all four skills
Education
Minimum high school diploma
If in Canada
Must hold a valid work permit throughout the YNP application process
Yukon Express Entry Stream — for active Express Entry candidates
For skilled workers with an active federal Express Entry profile. A Yukon nomination adds 600 CRS points — virtually guaranteeing a federal ITA at the next draw. Leads to faster federal PR processing (~6 months). Same general eligibility as the Skilled Worker stream, plus EE profile requirements. Note: CLB requirement for TEER 0/1 is CLB 7 — higher than the Skilled Worker base stream (CLB 6) for the same occupation levels.
Express Entry eligibility
Active IRCC Express Entry profile + valid profile number + Job Seeker Validation Code; eligible for FSWP, FSTP, or CEC; proof of settlement funds
Language — TEER 0 and 1
Minimum CLB 7 — one level higher than the Skilled Worker base stream for the same TEER levels
Language — TEER 2 and 3
Minimum CLB 5 in English or French (same as Skilled Worker base)
All other requirements
Same as Skilled Worker stream: 1 yr experience, high school min, valid work permit if in Canada, full-time permanent job offer
EE profile must be maintained: Your EE profile must remain active throughout the YNP assessment. If IRCC issues you a federal ITA before Yukon nominates you, you must choose between accepting the federal ITA or waiting for the Yukon nomination. Declining a federal ITA to pursue a Yukon nomination is a significant strategic decision — discuss with an RCIC first.
Community Pilot — a flexible variation for part-time and multi-employer situations
The Yukon Community Pilot allows employers in single Yukon communities to offer nominations for non-traditional work arrangements. A single position can combine up to 3 different occupations that together total 30+ hours/week (1,560 hours/year), and up to 3 employers in the same community can create one shared full-time position for one worker. Eligibility criteria mirror the Skilled Worker or Critical Impact Worker stream as applicable, except the job offer does not need to be for a single full-time permanent position. This is particularly useful in small communities like Dawson City or Haines Junction where individual employers cannot offer year-round full-time work alone.
2026 EOI Scoring Priorities
What gets prioritized in the 2026 YNP EOI — and what employers must demonstrate
Important: Yukon has NOT published a numerical points breakdown for the worker stream EOI. EOIs are scored based on qualitative priority criteria that Yukon assesses from the information submitted in the online form. The categories below reflect Yukon's stated 2026 priorities — how they are weighted numerically is not publicly available. Tie-breaking goes to candidates with longer Yukon work history or expiring work permits.
2026 EOI Priority Criteria (highest to lower)
Regulated healthcare professionals
Top priority for 2026. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other regulated health professionals. Aligns with federal healthcare workforce priorities.
Workers already established in the Yukon (1+ years)
Foreign nationals who have lived and worked full-time in Yukon for at least 1 year receive significant priority. Points increase with length of stay.
Graduates of Yukon University
International students who graduated from Yukon University receive additional points, reflecting strong retention outcomes for locally educated talent.
Francophone / French-speaking applicants
Candidates with CLB/NCLC 5 or higher in all French competencies are prioritized to support Yukon's Francophone community growth.
Rural Yukon employers (outside Whitehorse)
A separate intake track for Whitehorse and rural areas ensures smaller community employers are not outcompeted by Whitehorse-based employers.
Prior 2025 EOI applicants (carryover bonus)
Employers who submitted an EOI in 2025 and were not invited to apply receive bonus points in 2026 — rewarding persistent effort to hire and retain.
Employer eligibility requirements
Citizenship: Employer must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Yukon presence: Operating in Yukon for minimum 1 year on a full-time basis (or recognized government body, First Nation, municipal); non-profits minimum 2 years with confirmed funding
Registration: Valid Yukon business licence; registered on Yukon Corporate Registry or Federal Registry
Labour standards: Must meet all territorial employment standards requirements
Recruitment: Must advertise on Canada Job Bank AND at least 2 local Yukon mediums; ads must specify duties, hours, exact wage, and contact info; continue advertising until YNP decision
No LMIA required: But employer must pay $230 IRCC Employer Compliance Fee before nominee can apply for work permit
Significant employer financial obligations — important for both employer and worker to know
• Pay nominee's airfare from their country of permanent residence to Yukon (if not currently in Yukon)
• Provide free health insurance until nominee qualifies for Yukon's Health Care Insurance Plan
• Pay return airfare if nominee does not obtain permanent residency or leaves the YNP process
• Pay at least Yukon median wage for the relevant NOC (not just national average)
Separate program — has a published points grid
Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) — for entrepreneurs
The YBNP is Yukon's entrepreneur immigration pathway — operating separately from the YNP worker streams. Successful applicants receive a 2-year work permit to establish their business, then apply for nomination after meeting their business plan milestones. Quarterly check-ins with YBNP staff are mandatory throughout the 2-year period. Once nominated, applicants must apply for PR within 3 months.
Eligibility requirements
Business experience: Minimum 5 years relevant experience, including 3 years as a business owner or senior manager
Net worth: Minimum $500,000 CAD (including min $300,000 CAD in liquid assets — cash, bonds, readily marketable investments), verified by a Yukon accounting firm
Investment: Minimum $300,000 CAD in the Yukon business (33.3%+ ownership), OR $1,000,000 CAD equity (in which case you may hold less than 33.3% ownership)
Language: Minimum CLB 6 (IELTS) or NCLC 4 (TEF); minimum 10 points in Language Ability section of the grid
Points grid: Minimum 56 points on the Nominee Assessment Grid (7 factors)
Business sector: Must be on Yukon's Strategic Sector List — cannot start a business in an ineligible sector
Business role: Must hold NOC skill level 0 or A position (senior management) in the Yukon business
Intent: Must commit to full-time residency and active management in Yukon; submit Resettlement Plan
Not permitted: Proposed partnerships between two or more YBNP applicants are prohibited. Purchasing a business previously owned by a current or former YBNP nominee is also prohibited.
YBNP Nominee Assessment Grid — 7 factors (min 56 pts)
The Yukon government does not publish the full numerical breakdown of the YBNP grid. The exact point values per factor are available in the official YBNP documentation, which an RCIC can source and review with you before you apply. Higher investment amounts, higher net worth, a prior visit to Yukon, and post-secondary education all earn additional points beyond the minimum thresholds.
YBNP process timeline: Submit application → approval in principle → 2-year work permit → establish business → quarterly check-ins + on-site visits → final nomination → apply for PR within 3 months. All family members must reside year-round in Yukon by year 2.
Important facts & RCIC guidance
What makes the Yukon Nominee Program unique — and why professional guidance matters
No published points grid for worker streams
You cannot calculate your EOI score — priorities are qualitative and assessed by Yukon staff
Unlike the NWT, Manitoba, or BC, Yukon's worker stream EOI does not have a published numerical scoring table. Yukon assesses submissions against qualitative priorities. An RCIC familiar with Yukon's Operational Guidelines can identify which documentation and framing best demonstrates alignment with the 2026 priorities — particularly for healthcare workers, established residents, and rural employers.
Employers carry significant financial risk
Employers must pay airfare, health insurance, and return travel — few YNP employers fully understand this before applying
Yukon employers who support a YNP application are financially responsible for bringing the nominee to Yukon, providing interim health coverage, and paying return airfare if the nomination doesn't result in PR. Many employers discover these obligations only after the EOI stage — sometimes causing withdrawals that damage the foreign worker's immigration status. An RCIC ensures both the employer and worker understand all obligations before the first form is submitted.
Only two 12-day intake windows per year
Missing the July 6–17, 2026 window means waiting until 2027 — preparation must start weeks in advance
With only two 12-day windows per year, timing is critical. The January 2026 window is closed. The next opportunity is July 6–17, 2026. Everything — employer documentation, foreign worker documents, advertising records, language test results — must be assembled before the window opens. An RCIC working from now through the July intake can prepare a complete, priority-aligned EOI package.
CLB 7 for Express Entry TEER 0/1 — higher than expected
Yukon Express Entry requires CLB 7 for management and professional roles — one level above the base Skilled Worker stream
This distinction catches many candidates by surprise. A manager or engineer applying under the Skilled Worker stream needs CLB 6, but the same person applying under the Yukon Express Entry stream (to get the 600 CRS boost) needs CLB 7. Failing to verify this before submitting is one of the most common causes of YNP refusals for EE applicants.
6 months to apply for PR — a tight federal deadline
Nominees must apply for permanent residency within 6 months of YNP approval — all federal documents must be ready
After Yukon approves your nomination, you have exactly 6 months to file your PR application with IRCC. For base stream nominees this means assembling a complete paper-based PR application in that window. For YBNP nominees it's 3 months. An RCIC prepares the federal PR application alongside the provincial process so nothing is scrambled after nomination.
Prepare now for the July 6–17, 2026 intake window
Our RCIC will confirm which YNP stream applies to your occupation, verify the employer meets all Yukon eligibility requirements, identify which 2026 priorities your EOI qualifies for, and prepare a complete documentation package well before the July window opens.
