On May 16, 2024, we temporarily paused the intake of applications to the Yukon Nominee Program for Whitehorse-based employers.
Future Yukon Nominee Program candidates affected by this pause can request a letter of support from us. This is a temporary initiative that allows you to apply for a one-time Yukon-specific work permit. This extends your authorization to work in the Yukon for up to 2 years. Your employer must then apply to the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026 before your work permit expires.
Process
- Request a letter of support from us.
- If we approve your request, we will give you a letter of support.
- Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a new work permit for the Yukon. Send them:
- the letter of support we gave you; and
- your work permit application.
- If you receive a new work permit under this temporary measure, your employer must apply to the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026.
Important dates
- October 31, 2024: deadline to request a letter of support
- December 6, 2024: we will issue all letters of support by this date
- December 31, 2024: deadline to submit your work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- 2025 or 2026: your employer applies to the Yukon Nominee Program
Eligibility
As a foreign worker, you must have:
- been living in the Yukon as of May 16, 2024;
- been working full-time equivalent hours as of May 16, 2024;
- accommodations within 150 kilometers of your workplace;
- a letter of employment from your current Yukon employer(s); and
- had valid work authorization on May 16, 2024, that either:
- has since expired; or
- will expire before December 31, 2024.
You are eligible for this temporary measure if one of the following scenarios applies to you.
Scenario 1:
- You hold a valid work permit when you submit your request.
Scenario 2:
- You had a valid work permit on May 16, 2024, but that permit has since expired; and
- you will apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to extend your authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Scenario 3:
- You had a valid work permit on May 16, 2024, but that permit has since expired; and
- you have or will apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to restore your temporary resident status under section 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Scenario 4:
- You were authorized to work on May 16, 2024, based on paragraph 186 (u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations;
- your work permit extension application is pending or was approved; and
- you will apply to extend your authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
You and your employer must:
- intend to apply to the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026; and
- ensure you meet, or will meet, all Yukon Nominee Program requirements.
You do not need to submit a request if you’ve already applied to the Yukon Nominee Program.
Required documents
You must submit the following documents.
- A completed request form
- Proof of residence. This can be a:
- lease agreement;
- utility bill or other bill with a Yukon address;
- pay stub with a Yukon address;
- Yukon driver’s license; or
- other documentation.
- Proof, such as a paystub, that you were employed on May 16, 2024
- Letter from each of your current employers listing:
- your job title;
- your weekly hours of work;
- your current hourly rate or salary;
- the date you began working for the employer; and
- how your employment will support the business’s sustainability and/or growth.
Foreign worker responsibilities
- Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria before you submit your request.
- Complete the request form. Additional employer sections may be necessary if you have more than one Yukon employer.
- Provide all required supporting documents.
- Apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for:
- a new work permit by December 31, 2024; and
- an extension or restoration of your temporary residency status, if necessary.
- Send us a copy of your new work permit once you receive it.
- Cooperate with our requests for monitoring and program reporting.
- Work with your employer to apply for the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026.
Employer responsibilities
- Complete all employer-related sections of the request form.
- Provide an employment letter with the candidate’s:
- job title;
- National Occupation Classification;
- date candidate began work with you;
- weekly hours of work;
- current hourly rate or salary; and
- a statement about how the candidate will support business sustainability or growth.
- Ensure you meet all requirements to apply for the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026. This includes efforts to hire Canadian residents or permanent residents.
- Submit a Yukon Nominee Program application for the foreign worker in 2025 or 2026.
- Cooperate with our requests for monitoring and program reporting.
Prioritization
We can issue a maximum of 215 letters of support under this temporary measure.
If we need to prioritize requests, we’ll consider whether you:
- are working in a healthcare field;
- attended Yukon University;
- have family connections in the Yukon; and
- are francophone or French-speaking.
Deadline to submit your request for a letter of support
You must submit your completed request form and supporting documents by 4:00 pm Yukon Standard Time on October 31, 2024.
How to submit your request
- Review the operational guidance.
- Complete the request form.
- Gather your supporting documents.
- Submit the completed form and documents.
In person:
303 Alexander Street, 1st floor in Whitehorse, Yukon
Mail:
Government of Yukon
Economic Development (F-1)
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 2C6
Next steps
After you submit your request, we’ll contact you within 5 business days to confirm we’ve received it.
Processing time
We’ll issue all letters of support by December 6, 2024. This will allow you to submit your work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada by December 31, 2024.
Request a review
You can request a review if you do not receive a letter of support through this temporary measure. This may apply if:
- you do not meet eligibility requirements; or
- we had to prioritize requests and you were not selected.
To request a review:
- You must contact the Director of Immigration to request a review within 5 business days of receiving our decision.
- The Assistant Deputy Minister will review all supporting documents and the branch’s assessment.
- You will receive a response to your request for review within 10 business days.
Future application to the Yukon Nominee Program
If you receive a new work permit under this temporary measure, your employer must apply to the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026.
For questions about immigration email [email protected] with subject line “Temporary Measure for Work Permit” or phone 867-667-5131, toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5131.
We offer drop-in sessions at 303 Alexander Street (1st floor) in Whitehorse on Thursdays from 1 pm to 4 pm. When visiting our office, keep in mind it is a scent-free workplace.