Employers and foreign nationals can no longer submit applications directly to the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). Instead, all applications must now go through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
What’s Changing?
Under this new process, employers must first receive an invitation from the YNP before submitting an application for a foreign worker’s nomination. Previously, employers could apply directly without prior selection.
This transition to an EOI system makes it more challenging to secure a territorial nomination for Canadian permanent residency (PR) through the YNP.
Application Timeline
The first intake period under the new system will open at 9:00 AM Yukon Standard Time (YST) on March 31, 2025, and close at 4:30 PM YST on April 22, 2025.
How the EOI System Works
Employers will be required to submit a web-based EOI form with key details about the foreign worker they wish to nominate. The YNP will then assess these submissions and invite selected candidates to submit full applications.
Who Will the YNP Prioritize in 2025?
The YNP has outlined specific priority groups for nominations:
- Foreign nationals who have lived and worked in Yukon for at least one year
- French-speaking candidates
- Graduates of Yukon University
- Individuals with a Temporary Measure Letter of Support
Temporary Measure Letter of Support
Certain candidates may qualify for Yukon-supported work permits valid for up to two years. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have been living and working in Yukon as of May 16, 2024
- Hold a work permit that expired on or after January 1, 2025, or is set to expire before December 31, 2025
- Have a Yukon employer committed to nominating them for PR through the YNP in 2025 or 2026
Yukon will issue letters of support to qualifying candidates, which they can include in their work permit applications. Applications for this work permit program opened on March 19, 2025, and will close at 4:30 PM YST on April 2, 2025.
Why the Change?
The federal government has reduced the YNP’s nomination allocation for 2025. The program has been allotted 215 nominations, roughly half of what was granted in the previous year.
Due to high demand and limited nomination spots, the YNP has introduced the EOI system to prioritize top candidates rather than operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
This shift aligns with the federal government’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which has reduced overall permanent residency targets by 20% and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets by 50%.
