Yukon is a territory located in northwestern Canada, famous for its snow-capped mountain ranges and the magical Northern Lights. With a modest population of around 45,148 people, Yukon offers a peaceful living environment, a close-knit community, and career development opportunities. The Yukon immigration program is designed to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs to live, work and contribute to the economic growth of the region. Explore the details of the Yukon immigration program with Phan Immigration in the article below.
Introduction to Yukon
Yukon, a territory in northwestern Canada, is famous for its majestic natural landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and the spectacular Northern Lights, as well as its historic “Klondike Gold Rush.” Despite a small population of approximately 45,148 people, Yukon offers a peaceful living environment, a close-knit community, and abundant new opportunities.
Landscape & Climate: Stunning natural scenery with towering mountains and the magical Northern Lights. The subarctic climate features four distinct seasons: warm summers (20°C / 68°F) and freezing winters (−20°C / −4°F).
People & Community: The small population is mainly concentrated in the capital, Whitehorse. Residents are friendly, welcoming, and community-oriented.
Economy & Employment: Yukon’s economy is driven by mining, tourism, and public services. High demand exists in sectors such as mining, tourism, healthcare, and construction. Salaries are generally higher, though the cost of living is also relatively elevated.
For those seeking breathtaking nature, a welcoming community, and a unique lifestyle, Yukon presents an ideal choice.
What is the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)?
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) offers an excellent opportunity for individuals who wish to live, work, and settle long-term in Canada’s beautiful Yukon Territory. This program provides multiple pathways for both entrepreneurs and skilled workers aiming to immigrate to the region.
Currently, Yukon operates the following main immigration streams:
Entrepreneur Stream:
- For individuals seeking to invest in, own, and actively manage a business in Yukon.
- Yukon Business Nominee Program.
Skilled Worker Stream:
- Skilled Worker Program.
- Critical Impact Worker Program (for high-demand low-skilled occupations).
- Express Entry.
- Yukon Community Pilot Program.
Overview of Yukon Immigration Programs
Yukon Business Nominee Program – YBNP
The Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) offers foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and actively manage a business in Yukon, Canada. This program aims to attract high-quality investment and foster economic growth in the territory.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Business Requirements: The business must meet program criteria and achieve at least 65 points on the evaluation scale.
- Language: CLB Level 4 is not mandatory at application. Providing language test results can earn additional points.
- Experience: Minimum 3 years of management/business experience and 5 years of relevant work experience.
- Financial: Minimum net assets of CAD 500,000 and an investment of at least CAD 300,000 into the business.
- Ownership: For new business investments, applicants must hold at least 33.33% ownership.
Benefits:
- Receive a 2-year work permit to establish the business, with the option to apply for permanent residency (PR) afterward.
- Family members can live, work, and study freely in Yukon.
- Access to world-class healthcare, education, and social benefits.
- After obtaining PR, applicants can apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport (visa-free travel to 189 countries).
Processing Time:
- Yukon nomination: 12–14 weeks from application submission.
- Permanent residency: approximately 18 months.
Limitations:
- Applicants must actively manage the business in Yukon for at least 2 years before applying for PR.
Skilled Worker immigration stream
The Skilled Worker immigration stream under the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) allows employers in Yukon to hire foreign skilled workers when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available. This program aims to attract qualified personnel who can contribute long-term to Yukon’s economic development.
Eligibility Requirements: The Skilled Worker program applies to job positions in TEER categories 0, 1, 2, and 3 according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Key requirements include:
- A full-time, long-term job offer from a Yukon employer in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Minimum education of high school diploma (secondary school) and specific educational requirements according to the occupation.
- At least 12 months of work experience in a field related to the offered job.
- Language proficiency according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB):
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1.
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3.
- Intention to live and work permanently in Yukon.
Benefits:
- Ability to apply for permanent residency (PR) even while outside Canada.
- Work permit (WP) to move to Canada early while PR application is being processed.
- Access to healthcare, education, and social benefits similar to Canadian citizens.
- Free education from Grade 1 to 12 in public schools.
- Reduced tuition fees for college and university compared to international students once PR is granted.
- PR card issued to the applicant, spouse, and dependent children under 22.
- Opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements (3 years within 5 years).
Processing Times:
- Yukon provincial nomination: approximately 8–10 weeks after submission.
- PR application processing: approximately 18 months.
Limitations:
- Job must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 and match the applicant’s work experience.
- Worker must hold all required qualifications and certificates.
- Language proficiency must meet the requirements of the specific occupation.
- Employer must comply with hiring conditions and demonstrate that no qualified Canadian citizen or PR is available.
Additional Requirements:
- Employer must advertise the position for at least 4 weeks before submitting the application on at least three channels, including:
- Canada Job Bank.
- At least two local recruitment channels.
- Applicants already in Canada must maintain legal status throughout the application process.
Critical Impact Worker
The Critical Impact Worker program, similar to the Skilled Worker program, supports Yukon employers in hiring foreign workers for essential positions when suitable Canadian workers are not available.
This program applies to workers in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Demonstrate that no suitable Canadian workers are available.
- Receive a job offer from a Yukon employer.
- High school diploma (secondary education).
- Minimum of 1 year of work experience in the relevant occupation.
- Language proficiency: CLB 4 for TEER 4 and TEER 5.
Benefits:
- Apply for permanent residence (PR) directly from Vietnam.
- Obtain a work permit (WP) to come to Canada while PR is being processed.
- Eligible for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements (3 out of 5 years).
- Family members also qualify for Canadian citizenship.
- Free education from grade 1 to grade 12; college and university tuition costs are reduced to one-third of international student rates.
- Access to world-class healthcare and social security.
Processing Time:
- Yukon nomination: approximately 8–10 weeks after application submission.
- PR processing: approximately 18 months.
Limitations:
- Only applications submitted by employers are accepted.
- Relevant work experience is required for the offered occupation.
- YNP is temporarily pausing submissions due to a reduced number of nominations available for 2025.
Immigration through the Express Entry System
The Yukon Express Entry program is part of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), designed to help Yukon employers hire foreign workers who are already accepted in Canada’s Express Entry system under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
This program allows employers to recruit foreign workers in TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Profile registered in the Express Entry system.
- Job offer from a Yukon employer.
- High school diploma.
- Minimum 6 months of work experience in the relevant occupation.
- Language proficiency:
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3.
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1.
- Proof of sufficient funds as required by the government.
Benefits:
- Additional points in Express Entry assessment.
- Ability to apply for PR while outside Canada.
- PR benefits extended to spouse and children under 22.
- Free education from grades 1–12.
- Reduced tuition fees for college and university studies.
- Opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship after 3–5 years.
Processing Time:
- Yukon nomination: approximately 8–10 weeks after application.
- PR processing: approximately 6–12 months.
Limitations:
- The Yukon Express Entry program is temporarily paused due to reduced nominations for 2025.
- High competition for available spots.
Yukon Community Pilot Immigration Program
The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) is part of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), designed to assist small and medium-sized businesses in Yukon in hiring foreign workers when suitable candidates cannot be found within Canada.
This program allows employers in eligible communities to combine multiple job positions to form a full-time role (minimum 1,560 hours per year).
Eligible communities include:
- Carcross
- Carmacks
- Dawson City
- Haines Junction
- Watson Lake
Note: Businesses in Whitehorse can only participate if they cannot provide enough full-time work hours.
Eligibility requirements for applicants:
- Have a valid job offer from one or more employers in Yukon, ensuring a total minimum of 30 working hours per week.
- Minimum education: high school diploma (or equivalent, depending on the job).
- Work experience:
- 6 months for TEER 4 & 5 positions (per NOC classification).
- 12 months for TEER 0, 1, 2 & 3 positions.
- Language proficiency according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB):
- CLB 4 for TEER 4 & 5
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 & 3
- CLB 6 for TEER 0 & 1
- Intention to live and work long-term in Yukon.
Benefits:
- Eligible to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) after working 2 years in Yukon.
- No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) required – streamlines the work permit process.
- Can combine up to 3 jobs from 1 or 2 employers to meet required work hours.
- Full social benefits:
- Free health insurance (provided by employer until eligible for Yukon health system).
- Free public education for children.
- Housing and community integration support from local authorities.
- Spouse and dependent children under 22 are eligible for the same benefits.
Processing time:
- Yukon nomination: approximately 8–10 weeks after application.
- PR application: approximately 6–12 months.
Limitations:
- Cannot apply for PR directly from Vietnam. Applicants must work in Yukon for at least 2 years before eligibility.
- Applicants must maintain legal status throughout the program.
Benefits of Choosing to Settle in Yukon
With a clean environment, attractive job opportunities, and a friendly community, Yukon is an ideal destination for those seeking a stable life close to nature:
- Upon completing the program commitment, you and your family will receive Canadian permanent residency (PR), enjoying rights similar to citizens and the freedom to live, study, and work in any province, including Yukon.
- Access to government benefits and social supports as local residents.
- A convenient immigration process with the ability to submit PR applications directly from Vietnam, relatively low educational requirements (high school diploma suffices), and support to obtain a Work Permit for early entry to Canada.
- High minimum wage, currently $17.59 per hour (as of 01/04/2024), adjusted annually for inflation.
- Under the Education Act, the Department of Education ensures accessible, high-quality education for Yukon students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including free public schooling for eligible children.
- Yukon provides support for affordable, suitable, and accessible housing. Rent is capped at 25% of the household’s gross monthly income. Eligibility includes continuous Yukon residency for 12 months, income below the specified threshold, and assets under $100,000 CAD.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yukon Immigration Programs
How many points are required for the Yukon Nominee Program?
Applicants must score at least 65 out of 100 points in the assessment system to be eligible for the Yukon Nominee Program.
Can I apply for the Yukon Community Pilot without an IELTS certificate?
Yes. One of the advantages of the Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) is that an English language test is not mandatory.
What is the cost of renting a home or apartment in Yukon?
The average rent in Yukon is $1,441/month. In Whitehorse, the average rent for a condominium is $2,060/month, followed by townhouses or row houses at around $2,101/month
What is the highest salary in Yukon?
The average annual income in Yukon is $59,950 CAD (2023), approximately $28.82/hour. The current minimum wage is $17.59/hour (until 31/03/2025), increasing to $17.94/hour afterward. Skilled professionals can earn over $100,000 CAD/year, sometimes up to $150,000 CAD/year or more.
From the information above, it’s clear that Yukon is a promising destination for those planning to settle in Canada. If you are interested in Yukon immigration programs, contact Phan Immigration, a trusted Canadian immigration consultancy. As a licensed member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (CICC), we are committed to supporting you in building a stable life, advancing your career, and expanding business opportunities in Canada.
