Yukon Nominee Program

Overview

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is an immigration program designed to address specific economic and labour market needs in the Yukon territory. It allows the Yukon government to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and settle in Yukon, contributing to its economy and community. The program operates in conjunction with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

How it works

The YNP involves a two-step process. First, eligible individuals apply to the Yukon government for nomination under one of its streams. If nominated, they then submit a separate application for permanent residence to IRCC. The program is specifically structured to attract foreign nationals who have the skills, experience, and intention to establish themselves economically and socially within the territory. Nominees receive a provincial nomination certificate, which significantly strengthens their application for permanent residence with IRCC.

Who it's for

The YNP is primarily for skilled workers who have a valid job offer from a Yukon employer and business individuals who intend to own and operate a business in the territory. It also has streams for individuals with experience in specific in-demand sectors within Yukon. The program targets individuals who demonstrate a genuine commitment to settling in Yukon long-term and contributing to its workforce and economy.

To be eligible for the Yukon Nominee Program, applicants must meet specific criteria depending on the stream they are applying under. Generally, common requirements include:

• Job Offer: For skilled worker streams, a valid, full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible Yukon employer is typically required. The job offer must be in an occupation classified under NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Work Experience: Applicants must have relevant work experience that matches the job offer or the requirements of the specific program stream. This often means at least one year of full-time work experience in the intended occupation.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in English or French is mandatory. The minimum language requirement varies by stream and occupation but is typically Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher. Some streams or professions may require higher CLB levels.
• Education: A minimum level of education, often a high school diploma, is usually required. Some professional occupations may necessitate post-secondary education, degrees, or certifications.
• Settlement Funds: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their accompanying family members upon arrival in Yukon. The exact amount is determined by family size and is subject to change.
• Intent to Reside: Applicants must genuinely intend to live and work in Yukon. This means demonstrating a connection to the territory and a commitment to settling there long-term.
• Employer Eligibility (if applicable): Employers offering jobs must meet specific YNP criteria, including being registered and operating in Yukon for a certain period, demonstrating efforts to recruit Canadian citizens or permanent residents first, and offering competitive wages and working conditions.

Applicants for the Yukon Nominee Program will typically need to provide a comprehensive set of documents, which may vary slightly depending on the specific stream. Common required documents include:

• Proof of Identity: Valid passport, birth certificate, and national identity documents.
• Educational Documents: Diplomas, degrees, certificates, and academic transcripts. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for foreign credentials.
• Work Experience Documents: Letters of employment, reference letters, pay stubs, and employment contracts detailing work history and responsibilities.
• Language Proficiency Results: Valid results from an approved language test (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French).
• Job Offer (if applicable): A valid, full-time, permanent job offer letter from an eligible Yukon employer, including details of the position, duties, salary, and benefits.
• Settlement Funds: Bank statements or other financial documents demonstrating sufficient funds to establish oneself in Yukon.
• Resumes/CVs: Detailed professional resumes outlining work history, education, and skills.
• Business Plan (for business streams): A comprehensive business plan detailing the proposed business, investment, job creation, and economic benefits for Yukon.
• Provincial Nominee Application Forms: Completed and signed YNP application forms.
• IRCC Forms: If nominated, various IRCC application forms for permanent residence.
• Police Certificates: Criminal record checks from all countries where the applicant has lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Medical Examinations: Results of medical examinations conducted by IRCC-approved panel physicians.

The Yukon Nominee Program application process typically involves the following steps:

1. Determine Eligibility: Review the criteria for the various YNP streams (e.g., Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker, Express Entry, Business Nominee) and determine the most suitable pathway.
2. Prepare Application to Yukon: Gather all required documents according to the chosen stream's checklist, complete the YNP application forms accurately, and ensure all information is consistent and verifiable.
3. Submit Application to YNP: Submit the complete application package to the Yukon Nominee Program for assessment. Applications can typically be submitted online or by mail, depending on the stream and current procedures.
4. Yukon Assessment and Nomination: The Yukon government will review the application. This may involve an interview, verification of documents, or a site visit for business nominees. If approved, the applicant will receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate.
5. Apply for Permanent Residence to IRCC: Once nominated by Yukon, the applicant must then submit a separate application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This application includes the nomination certificate along with other federal forms and supporting documents.
6. Medical and Security Checks: As part of the federal application, applicants and their family members will undergo medical examinations and security background checks.
7. Decision and Permanent Resident Visa: If the IRCC application is approved, applicants will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if outside Canada, a permanent resident visa to enter Canada.

Applicants approved through the Yukon Nominee Program can typically include their dependent family members in their permanent residence application. Dependent family members generally include a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. A dependent child is defined as a child under 22 years of age who does not have a spouse or common-law partner. If a child is 22 years of age or older, they may still be considered a dependent if they meet certain criteria, such as being unable to financially support themselves due to a mental or physical condition and having been continuously dependent on the parent since before the age of 22. All accompanying family members must meet IRCC's admissibility requirements, including medical and security checks.

Upon receiving a provincial nomination from the Yukon Nominee Program, applicants who are currently outside Canada or who are in Canada on a temporary status may be eligible to apply for a temporary work permit. This work permit allows them to work in Yukon while their application for permanent residence is being processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The work permit is typically employer-specific, meaning it allows the nominee to work only for the specific Yukon employer who provided the job offer that led to their nomination. Spouses or common-law partners of nominees may also be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work for any employer in Canada.

The Yukon Nominee Program serves as a direct pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence. A successful nomination from the Yukon government provides applicants with a significant advantage in their application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For those nominated under a YNP Express Entry stream, the nomination adds a substantial number of points (600 points) to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw. For non-Express Entry streams, the provincial nomination allows applicants to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program class. In both cases, the nomination is a crucial step towards obtaining permanent resident status in Canada, eventually leading to eligibility for Canadian citizenship.

• Incomplete Application: Failing to provide all required documents or submitting an application with missing information.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or misrepresenting facts on the application.
• Ineligible Job Offer: The job offer does not meet YNP requirements (e.g., not full-time, not permanent, wage below standard).
• Lack of Settlement Funds: Failure to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support oneself and family in Yukon.
• Failure to Meet Language Requirements: Not achieving the minimum required language proficiency scores.
• Lack of Genuine Intent to Reside: Not convincing the Yukon government or IRCC of a genuine intention to live and work in Yukon.
• Employer Ineligibility: The employer does not meet the YNP's criteria for offering a job to a foreign national.
• Inconsistent Information: Discrepancies between information provided in the YNP application and the federal PR application.
• Criminal Inadmissibility: Having a criminal record that makes the applicant inadmissible to Canada.