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Yukon

YUKON EXPRESS ENTRY

Candidates who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool and are interested in living and working in Yukon may apply to the Yukon Express Entry stream (YEE). Yukon added an Express Entry stream to its existing immigration programs in March 2015. This stream allows the province to nominate individuals who are already in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool and who have the necessary education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other factors to help them settle successfully and integrate into Yukon’s labour market and communities.

To enter the federal Express Entry pool, candidates must be eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs:

Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements of one of these three federal programs must begin by creating an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. Based on the information the candidate submits, his or her profile will be scored and the top-ranking profiles will be invited to apply for permanent residence. Receiving a Provincial or Territorial Nomination will boost the candidate’s score by 600 points, greatly increasing his or her chance of being invited to apply for permanent residence.

Benefits of YEE

Benefit for Employers

The Express Entry system helps employers meet critical labour shortages with foreign skilled workers when they cannot find Canadians or permanent residents to fill openings for full-time, permanent jobs, despite reasonable recruitment efforts. Express Entry provides employers with greater flexibility than other immigration programs. With YEE, employers can take advantage of improvements to Canada’s Job Bank, an online search tool that matches prospective immigrants with Canadian employers and jobs based on their skills, knowledge and experience.

Employers who use YEE do not have to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or pay for the foreign worker’s travel costs.

Benefit for Individuals

Express Entry helps eligible potential economic immigrants find permanent work in Yukon when employers cannot find Canadians or permanent residents to fill job openings. Applicants receive priority processing under Express Entry and most receive permanent residence within six months of verification of their completed application as a result.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for Yukon Express Entry, applicants must:

  • Meet the requirements of one of the three federal economic immigration programs;
  • Complete the online Express Entry application to receive a Profile Number and, if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code;
  • Have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and any accompanying family members in Canada;
    • The amount of money required is based on the size of the applicant’s family, as determined by IRCC.
  • Have a valid job offer for permanent, full-time work from an eligible Yukon employer; and
  • Have a genuine intention to live and work in Yukon.

YEE Application and Nomination Process

A valid offer of employment from an eligible Yukon employer will trigger a YNP Nomination for the Express Entry (EE) candidate and, subsequently, an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to IRCC for permanent residence.

There are 10 steps in the YEE application and nomination process. They are as follows:

  1. The employer finds a suitable foreign skilled worker.
  2. The employer offers the foreign national a job after demonstrating there is no Canadian or permanent resident available and/or suitable for the position.
  3. The worker meets the requirements for one of the three federal economic immigration programs.
  4. The worker completes an online application in IRCC’s EE system and enters the EE candidate pool. The worker obtains an EE Profile Number and, if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code.
  5. The worker proves that he or she has sufficient settlement funds.
  6. The employer and worker jointly complete and submit the Yukon Express Entry application form.
  7. The worker receives an ITA from IRCC.
  8. The worker provides all necessary documents to IRCC to complete the permanent residence application.
  9. IRCC and Yukon’s Immigration Unit verify the worker’s documents.
  10. The worker receives permanent residence.

 

SKILLED WORKER

Under this stream, Yukon employers may nominate foreign nationals working in skilled occupations for Canadian permanent residence.

 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Nationals

Individuals must meet the following requirements:

  • Possess education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job as per the criteria specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
    • NOTE: The minimum acceptable level of education is a high school diploma.
  • Demonstrate at least one year of related work experience for the position being filled. This work experience may be gained outside Yukon;
  • If in Canada at the time of application, maintain a valid work permit throughout the YNP application and assessment process; and
  • If in Canada on a study permit, provide proof of:
    • One year of study for a certificate program,
    • Two years of study for a diploma or Bachelor degree program, or
    • Completion of at least level eight of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program for ESL students at Yukon College.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Employers

Employers must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • Be registered and operating a business in Yukon for at least one year, or must be a recognized government body in Yukon;
  • Meet minimum territorial labour standards;
  • Provide a copy of the business license, and be registered in Yukon’s corporate registry;
  • Provide to nominees, free of charge, health insurance that gives similar coverage to what a Yukon resident would receive until the nominee is eligible for government health benefits;
  • Offer a job with a wage equal to or exceeding prevailing median wage in the occupation in Yukon;
  • Pay the nominee’s cost of travel to Yukon from his or her country of residence abroad, if not already in Yukon;
    • Employers are not required to pay the travel costs of the nominee’s family or dependents.
  • Pay for return travel costs if the nominee does not obtain permanent residency;
  • Arrange for a screening interview with a Yukon Government Immigration officer if the foreign national is already in Yukon;
    • Both the foreign national and employer must be present for the interview.
  • Verify previous work experience and qualifications of foreign worker before submitting an application;
  • Submit the offer of employment information and pay the compliance fee of $230 using the IRCC Employer Portal before the foreign national applies for an employer-specific work permit if the foreign national is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process; and
  • Advertise the job opening for at least four weeks prior to submitting an application to the YNP.
    • The advertisement must remain posted to actively seek qualified Canadians and permanent residents until the date that the YNP issues a decision.
    • A minimum of two local and one national recruitment efforts are required.

 

Additional Language Requirements

All foreign nationals must demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by providing results from a language test administered by a designated testing agency, including IELTS (General Training Test only) and CELPIP (General test only) for English or TEF for French.

Foreign nationals seeking employment in NOC Skill Level 0 or A occupations must obtain the following minimum scores in each language category (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking):

  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):
    • 4L for tests taken before April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities
    • 7 for tests taken after April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities
  • International English Language Testing Score (IELTS): 6 in each of the four abilities
  • Test d’évaluation du Français (TEF): 4 in each of the four abilities

Foreign nationals seeking work in NOC Skill Level B occupations must obtain the following minimum scores in each language category (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking):

  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):
    • 3L for tests taken before April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities
    • 5 for tests taken after April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities
  • International English Language Testing Score (IELTS): 5 in each of the four abilities
  • Test d’évaluation du Français (TEF): 3 in each of the four abilities

CRITICAL IMPACT WORKER

Under this stream, Yukon employers may nominate foreign nationals with skills and experience that are in-demand in the territory.

The Critical Impact Worker stream is employer-driven and targets prospective immigrants in National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level C or D occupations.

 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Nationals

Individuals must meet the following requirements:

  • Possess education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job as per the criteria specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
    • NOTE: The minimum acceptable level of education is a high school diploma.
  • Demonstrate at least six months of related work experience for the position being filled;
  • If in Canada at the time of application, maintain a valid work permit throughout the YNP application and assessment process; and
  • If in Canada on a study permit, provide proof of:
    • One year of study for a certificate program,
    • Two years of study for a diploma or Bachelor degree program, or
    • Completion of at least level eight of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program for ESL students at Yukon College.
  • Demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by providing results from a language test administered by a designated testing agency, including IELTS (General Training Test only) and CELPIP (General test only) for English or TEF for French. Candidates must obtain the following minimum scores:
    • CELPIP:
      • 2H for tests taken before April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
      • 4 for tests taken after April 1, 2014 in each of the four abilities.
    • IELTS: 4 in each of the four abilities.
    • TEF: 3 in each of the four abilities.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Employers

Employers must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident;
  • Be registered and operating a business in Yukon for at least one year, or must be a recognized government body in Yukon;
  • Meet minimum territorial labour standards;
  • Provide a copy of the business license, and be registered in Yukon’s corporate registry;
  • Provide to nominees, free of charge, health insurance that gives similar coverage to what a Yukon resident would receive until the nominee is eligible for government health benefits;
  • Offer a job with a wage equal to or exceeding prevailing median wage in the occupation in Yukon;
  • Pay the nominee’s cost of travel to Yukon from his or her country of residence abroad, if not already in Yukon;
    • Employers are not required to pay the travel costs of the nominee’s family or dependents.
  • Pay for return travel costs if the nominee does not obtain permanent residency;
  • Arrange for a screening interview with a Yukon Government Immigration officer if the foreign national is already in Yukon;
    • Both the foreign national and employer must be present for the interview.
  • Verify previous work experience and qualifications of foreign worker before submitting an application;
  • Submit the offer of employment information and pay the compliance fee of $230 using the IRCC Employer Portal before the foreign national applies for an employer-specific work permit if the foreign national is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process; and
  • Advertise the job opening for at least four weeks prior to submitting an application to the YNP.
    • The advertisement must remain posted to actively seek qualified Canadians and permanent residents until the date that the YNP issues a decision.
    • A minimum of two local and one national recruitment efforts are required.

BUSINESS NOMINEE

Foreign business owners and entrepreneurs can apply to run their business in Yukon via the Business Nominee Program. Make sure you meet the following personal and business eligibility requirements before applying.

Personal eligibility

You must:

  • Achieve a score of at least 65 points on the assessment grid.
  • Have at least a high school education. If your business requires more education, you must also provide proof of these credentials.
  • Have at least 3 years of entrepreneurial or business management experience;
  • Have at least 5 years work experience that is relevant to your business;
  • Not be a refugee or have an active request for refugee status with the Government of Canada;
  • Have never been denied immigration by the Government of Canada;
  • Have no active applications for any other provincial or territorial nominee program;
  • Have a net worth of at least $500,000 CAD. You must also have documentation and verification by a Yukon accounting firm that you obtained it through legal means;
  • Have a minimum of $300,000 in liquid assets. This includes things like cash, bonds and cash derivatives. You must also have documentation and verification by a Yukon accounting firm that you obtained it through legal means;
  • Intend to permanently live in Yukon;
  • Agree to live in Yukon with dependents, if applicable, while managing and investing in your own business in Yukon.
  • Hold a position within your business of National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0 or A.
  • Have not yet purchased or started your business in Yukon at the time of your application to the program.
  • Show how you will invest at least $300,000 in capital investments for the business in the first 2 years.
    • This does not include any capital investments made before your acceptance into the Yukon Business Nominee Program.
    • Capital investments include purchases such as property or equipment. It does not include purchases such as a house, vehicles that are only partially for the business and operational or maintenance expenses.

Business eligibility

Your proposed business must:

  • be a new business or a purchase of an existing Yukon business
  • be managed by you
  • not be a passive investment
  • belong to any 1 of the following strategic sectors:
    • Information technology
    • Manufacturing
    • Value-added processing
    • Forestry
    • Tourism products, attractions, services and facilities
    • Energy
    • Mining or mineral development
    • Agriculture
    • Cultural industries
    • Film and video production

Your proposed business must not belong to 1 of the following ineligible sectors and activities:

  • Passive investments
  • Retail, wholesale operations, distribution operations
  • Restaurants
  • Financial services
  • Business, consultation and personal services
  • Most professional services
  • Real estate
  • Holding companies
  • Gas stations

YUKON COMMUNITY PILOT

The Yukon Community Pilot (YCP) is a new stream of the Yukon Nominee Program. The YCP launched in 2020 and will run for 3 years.

If you have a valid nomination for permanent residence from Yukon, you may be eligible for a 2-year location-restricted open work permit under the YCP.

About the work permit

This work permit:

  • lets you work for up to 3 different employers in 1 of the participating Yukon communities
  • is valid for 2 years
  • doesn’t need a Labour Market Impact Assessment

The participating communities are:

  • Whitehorse
  • Watson Lake
  • Dawson City
  • Haines Junction
  • Carmacks
  • Carcross

Work permit eligibility

To qualify for the work permit, you must:

Job offer requirements

The jobs you’re offered must meet all these requirements:

  • They must all be in the same participating Yukon community
  • They must add up to at least 30 hours of work a week (equal to a full-time job)
  • They must be non-seasonal
    • In general, this means you have consistent and regularly scheduled paid employment throughout the year
  • The wage must meet or exceed the minimum wage
  • Your experience must show that you can perform the duties of the jobs offered

Documents you need before you apply

Before you apply for a work permit, you need these documents to include in your application:

  • a copy of the nomination letter from the Government of Yukon confirming that you’ve been nominated for permanent residence
  • a signed letter of support from the Government of Yukon stating:
    • that the employers who are offering you the jobs need you to work in the community as soon as possible
    • that the job offers are genuine
    • the details of the job offers, including:
      • names of the employers
      • occupation
      • number of hours
      • job locations