Canada’s Yukon Territory Modernizes Its Immigration Nominee System

The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) has officially opened its 2025 Expression of Interest (EOI) intake, introducing a strategic and streamlined nomination process for employers seeking to support foreign workers in the territory. This significant policy shift comes as part of Yukon’s broader efforts to modernize its immigration framework and respond to changing federal allocations and regional workforce needs.

The intake period, which began at the end of March 2025, will remain open until April 22, 2025. Employers are now able to access and submit the online Expression of Interest form through the official Yukon website.

This modern approach brings Yukon’s immigration process in line with other jurisdictions across Canada and enables the territory to manage its reduced federal nomination allocation of 215 spots, down from 430 in 2024, with clarity and purpose.

Do You Qualify?

Who Needs to Apply — And Who Doesn’t

The Expression of Interest process is only for employers who are planning to nominate foreign nationals for the Yukon Nominee Program in 2025. It is not an application to the YNP itself, but rather a preliminary step that allows the government to assess interest and prioritize selections based on the most relevant needs.

Employers do not need to submit an EOI if they already submitted a YNP application in 2024. However, the 2025 priority areas will still apply to carry-over applications. The Yukon Government has confirmed that it will directly contact those employers with existing applications to provide more information on next steps.

Each EOI must be submitted by the primary employer (if multiple employers are involved) and must be filed separately for each foreign worker they wish to nominate.

Key Dates and Deadlines for Employers

• EOI Intake Opened: March 31, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Yukon Standard Time)
• EOI Intake Closes: April 22, 2025, at 4:30 PM (Yukon Standard Time)

To be added to the Expression of Interest pool, employers must:

1. Complete the Consent to Share Information form, signed by both employer and foreign worker.
2. Submit the online Expression of Interest form with the required details via Yukon.ca.

2025 Priority Areas: Who Will Be Chosen First?

Following the closure of the intake period, the Government of Yukon will evaluate EOIs and issue formal invitations to apply to selected employers. Selection will be guided by how well each candidate fits within established priority categories, which were developed in consultation with industry organizations and the business community.

The priority areas for 2025 are:

• Foreign nationals who have lived and worked in Yukon for at least one year
• Yukon University graduates
• Francophone or French-speaking individuals who take their required language test in French
• Recipients of a Temporary Measure Letter of Support

These criteria reflect the Yukon Government’s commitment to fostering long-term economic and cultural contributions through immigration. They also aim to support workforce stability, regional inclusion, and bilingualism.

From Interest to Invitation: What Happens Next

Submitting an EOI is not a guarantee of selection or nomination. Once the intake window closes, the Government of Yukon will review all submissions and invite select employers to submit full applications to the Yukon Nominee Program.

These invitations will be based on:

• Candidate alignment with 2025 priorities
• Strategic regional and occupational needs
• Availability within the 215-nomination cap

The Yukon Government has committed to posting the total number of EOIs received at the end of the intake period on Yukon.ca, ensuring public transparency in the process.

Eligibility Requirements

The Expression of Interest can only be completed by an employer, and the foreign worker must meet one of the following conditions:

• Be currently in Canada under temporary resident status
• Be outside Canada and:
  • Francophone or French-speaking and take their required language test in French
  • Fill a position in a regulated health care profession
  • Work in a rural Yukon community

Required Information in the Expression of Interest Form

Employers will be asked to provide the following details:

• Business name and employer contact information
• Job location
• Foreign worker’s name and citizenship
• Worker’s current location (in or outside Canada)
• Duration of time worker has lived and worked in Yukon (if applicable)
• French language proficiency
• Temporary Measure Letter of Support status

Transparency and Accountability

By adopting the EOI model, Yukon is reinforcing its commitment to fairness, clarity, and accountability. The new system allows the territory to carefully align nominations with real-world labor needs and immigration priorities.

This approach ensures that employers, especially those in remote and underserved communities, have a clearer pathway to securing talent while also helping newcomers settle in ways that benefit both them and the Yukon economy.

Why the EOI Model Matters

The shift toward an Expression of Interest system mirrors similar changes in provinces like British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba. As immigration dynamics evolve across Canada, the Yukon Government is proactively adapting to ensure its systems remain responsive and competitive.

The streamlined model:

• Simplifies the initial step for employers
• Reduces administrative pressure
• Enables better planning for immigration capacity
• Encourages longer-term settlement through targeted nomination

With demand expected to far exceed the 215 available nominations, Yukon’s ability to manage interest through a priority-based lens is both strategic and necessary.

A Smarter Immigration Pathway for Yukon

The 2025 Yukon Nominee Program Expression of Interest intake represents more than a policy update—it marks a thoughtful evolution in how Yukon engages with immigration. Employers now have a chance to help shape the future of Yukon’s workforce by submitting EOIs that align with the territory’s most pressing needs.

To avoid missing out, employers should complete their Expression of Interest before the April 22, 2025 deadline.

As Yukon continues to grow and diversify, this smarter, more inclusive immigration pathway is poised to create lasting benefits for communities, industries, and newcomers alike.

Can You Move to Yukon?