Yukon is a territory located in northwestern Canada, famous for its snow-covered mountain ranges and mesmerizing Northern Lights. With a modest population of approximately 45,148 people, Yukon offers a peaceful lifestyle, 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 region’s economic growth. Let’s explore the details of the Yukon immigration program with Phan Immigration in the following article.
What is the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)?
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is a fantastic opportunity for those wishing to live, work, and establish a long-term life in the beautiful territory of Yukon, Canada. This program offers various options for both entrepreneurs and skilled workers aiming to settle here.
Currently, Yukon is implementing the following main immigration streams:
- Entrepreneur stream:
- For individuals who want to invest in, own, and directly manage a business in Yukon.
- Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP).
- Skilled Worker streams:
- Skilled Worker Program.
- Critical Impact Worker Program (for occupations in high demand).
- Express Entry Program.
- Yukon Community Pilot Program.
Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
The Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) is an opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to own and manage a business in Yukon, Canada. This program encourages entrepreneurs to invest and grow the economy, attracting high-quality investment to Yukon.
Eligibility requirements:
- Business requirements: The business must meet the program’s eligibility criteria and score at least 65 points on the assessment grid.
- Language requirement: You are not required to have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 when submitting your application. However, providing language test results can earn you additional points.
- Experience: At least 3 years of management/business experience and 5 years of relevant work experience.
- Financials: Must demonstrate a minimum net worth of CAD 500,000 and a minimum investment of CAD 300,000 into the business.
- Business ownership: If investing in a new business, the applicant must own at least 33.33% of the shares.
Benefits:
- Receive a 2-year work permit to establish the business, then become eligible to apply for permanent residency (PR).
- Family members can live, work, and study freely in Yukon.
- Access to world-class healthcare, education, and social benefits.
- After obtaining PR, you can apply for Canadian citizenship and passport (visa-free access to 189 countries).
Processing time:
- Yukon nomination: approximately 12–14 weeks after application submission.
- PR application processing: approximately 18 months.
Limitations:
- Applicants must manage the business in Yukon for 2 years before applying for PR.
Yukon Skilled Worker Immigration Programs
The Yukon Skilled Worker stream under the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is managed by the Yukon government and allows Yukon employers to hire foreign workers when no suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available. The program focuses on attracting skilled, long-term workers to contribute to Yukon’s economic development.
Skilled Worker Stream
The Skilled Worker stream under the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) allows Yukon employers to hire foreign skilled workers when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available. This stream aims to attract individuals with relevant qualifications who can contribute to Yukon’s long-term economic growth.
Eligibility requirements:
- Applies to job positions classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. Main requirements include:
- A full-time, long-term job offer from an employer in Yukon for a position in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Minimum education requirement: High school diploma and any additional academic requirements specific to the occupation.
- At least 12 months of relevant work experience in the related field.
- Minimum language proficiency as per the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB):
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1.
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3.
- Must intend to live and work in Yukon long-term.
Benefits:
- Can apply for permanent residency (PR) even if outside Canada.
- Eligible for a work permit (WP) to come to Canada during PR processing.
- Access to healthcare, education, and social benefits similar to Canadian citizens.
- Free public schooling from Grade 1 to Grade 12.
- After PR is granted, significantly reduced tuition fees for college/university compared to international students.
- PR cards are issued to the principal applicant, spouse, and dependent children under 22 years old.
- Eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting the residency requirement (3 out of 5 years).
Processing time:
- Yukon nomination: approximately 8–10 weeks after application submission.
- PR application processing: approximately 18 months.
Limitations:
- Job must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 and be relevant to the applicant’s work experience.
- Applicant must hold the required academic credentials and certifications for the job.
- Language proficiency must align with the requirements for each occupational group.
- Employers must meet specific recruitment requirements and prove they cannot find a suitable Canadian citizen or PR.
- Additional employer requirements:
- Employer must advertise the job for at least 4 weeks before applying, on at least 3 platforms, including:
- Canada Job Bank.
- At least 2 local recruitment platforms.
- If already in Canada, the worker must maintain legal immigration status throughout the application process.
Immigration through the Critical Impact Worker Stream
The Critical Impact Worker stream is similar to the Skilled Worker stream and supports Yukon employers in hiring foreign workers for essential positions when they cannot find suitable Canadian candidates.
This stream applies to occupations in TEER 4 and TEER 5 under the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Employer must prove that no suitable Canadian worker is available.
- Valid job offer from a Yukon business.
- Minimum education: High school diploma.
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience.
- Language requirement:
- CLB 4 for TEER 4 and TEER 5.
Benefits:
- Apply for permanent residency (PR) directly from Vietnam.
- Obtain a work permit (WP) to travel to Canada while waiting for PR approval.
- Eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after 3 years of residency within 5 years.
- Family members can also become Canadian citizens.
- Free education from Grade 1 to 12; college/university tuition is around 1/3 the rate for international students.
- Access to world-class healthcare and social security.
Processing Time:
- Yukon nomination: 8–10 weeks.
- PR application: Approximately 18 months.
Limitations:
- Applications must be submitted by employers.
- The applicant’s work experience must match the job offered.
- The YNP is temporarily paused for 2025 due to a reduction in nomination quotas.
Immigration through the Express Entry System
The Yukon Express Entry stream is part of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) and allows Yukon employers to recruit foreign workers who already have an active profile in Canada’s Express Entry system managed by IRCC.
This stream applies to occupations under TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 of the NOC.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Active profile in the Express Entry system.
- Job offer from a Yukon employer.
- High school diploma.
- At least 6 months of work experience in the relevant field.
- Language requirements:
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3.
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1.
- Proof of sufficient settlement funds as required by the federal government.
Benefits:
- Earn additional CRS points in the Express Entry system.
- Apply for PR from outside Canada.
- PR benefits extended to spouse and dependent children under 22.
- Free public education from Grades 1 to 12.
- Subsidized college/university tuition.
- Eligible for Canadian citizenship after 3–5 years of residency.
Processing Time:
- Yukon nomination: 8–10 weeks.
- PR application: 6–12 months.
Limitations:
- The Yukon Express Entry stream is temporarily paused in 2025 due to reduced nomination slots.
- High competition due to limited quota.
Yukon Community Pilot (YCP)
The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) is a stream under the Yukon Nominee Program designed to help small and medium-sized businesses in Yukon hire foreign workers when no local candidates are available.
This program allows employers in eligible communities to combine multiple part-time job offers into one full-time job (minimum 1,560 hours/year).
Eligible Communities:
- Carcross
- Carmacks
- Dawson City
- Haines Junction
- Watson Lake
(Note: Employers in Whitehorse can only participate if unable to provide full-time hours.)
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Valid job offer(s) from one or more Yukon employers totaling at least 30 hours/week.
- Minimum education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Work experience:
- 6 months for TEER 4 & 5 occupations.
- 12 months for TEER 0, 1, 2 & 3 occupations.
- Language proficiency (CLB):
- CLB 4 – TEER 4 & 5
- CLB 5 – TEER 2 & 3
- CLB 6 – TEER 0 & 1
- Must intend to live and work in Yukon long-term.
Benefits:
- Eligible to apply for PR after 2 years of working in Yukon.
- No LMIA required, speeding up the work permit process.
- Can work up to 3 jobs from 1 or 2 employers to meet the hour requirement.
- Full social benefits:
- Free healthcare (provided by employer until eligible for Yukon Health Care).
- Free public education for children.
- Housing and community support from local authorities.
- Spouse and dependent children under 22 can accompany with similar benefits.
Processing Time:
- Yukon nomination: 8–10 weeks.
- PR application: 6–12 months.
Limitations:
- PR application cannot be submitted directly from Vietnam; must complete 2 years of work in Yukon.
- Must maintain legal immigration status throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Yukon Immigration Program
How many points are required for the Yukon Nominee Program?
Applicants must score at least 65 out of 100 points in the Yukon Nominee Program’s assessment grid to be eligible.
Can I apply for the Yukon Community Pilot without an IELTS certificate?
Yes, you can participate in the Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) without an IELTS certificate. One key advantage of the program is that a language test is not mandatory.
From the information above, it’s clear that Yukon is a promising destination for those planning to immigrate to Canada. If you are interested in the Yukon immigration program, contact Phan Immigration – a trusted Canadian immigration consulting firm. As a licensed member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), we are committed to helping you build a stable life, advance your career and grow your business in Canada.
