The Government of Yukon has extended an agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to facilitate the issuance of work permits to prospective applicants of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). Foreign nationals who were living and working in the Yukon on May 16, 2024, with work permits that have expired since January 1, 2025, or that are set to expire before December 31, 2025, will be eligible to apply for a new Yukon-specific work permit. This permit will be valid for up to two years.
This temporary measure specifically applies to foreign nationals who are currently established in the Yukon. Their employer must plan to nominate them for permanent residency through the YNP in 2025 or 2026. If eligible, the foreign national will receive a letter of support from the Government of Yukon to accompany their work permit application to IRCC.
The intake period to request a temporary measure letter of support will open on March 19, 2025, at 9 am Yukon Standard Time. Foreign nationals must submit their request by April 2, 2025, at 4:30 pm Yukon Standard Time. To prepare, foreign nationals can find information about what they will need to submit on the webpage: Request support as a potential nominee. The form to submit requests will be available on this page when the intake opens.
In January 2025, IRCC informed the Yukon of a 50 per cent reduction in nominee program allocations for the year. In consideration of the Government of Canada’s priority to stabilize immigration levels across the country, lower allocation limits are expected to continue. This means fewer foreign nationals will be able to pursue participation in the YNP as a pathway to permanent residence each year. The department encourages anyone with an expiring work permit in 2025, and who intends to pursue candidacy for the YNP, to consider submitting a request. Extending this measure to people with work permits expiring in 2025 gives individuals and their employers time to apply in 2025 or 2026.
The Department of Economic Development is finalizing the approach for YNP intake for 2025. This work has been done in conversation with industry organizations. Updates will be made in consideration of feedback and how the program can better meet participant and labour market needs. Information on the 2025 process will be announced in the coming weeks.
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This temporary measure allows workers to apply for new, up to two-year, Yukon-specific work permits. They can then continue working in the territory until their employer submits an application under the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025 or 2026.
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Previously, this measure was only available to people with work permits expiring before December 31, 2024.
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Eligible individuals have to demonstrate they meet the eligibility criteria and are expected to pursue transition to permanent residency in 2025 and 2026.
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This temporary measure has been enabled by a temporary public policy authorized by the Government of Canada to facilitate work permits for prospective Yukon nominee program. This policy is in place until December 31, 2025.
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The government will continue to work with industry organizations on how to support and retain foreign nationals who provide critical support to our labour market, while strengthening communities.
Linnea Blum
Communications, Economic Development
867-332-2625
[email protected]