Government of Yukon

05/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2024 16:00

Temporary pause on Whitehorse-based Yukon Nominee Program applications

Published 16/05/2024

Effectively immediately, the Government of Yukon is putting a temporary pause on the intake of Whitehorse-based applications for the Yukon Nominee Program. This measure aims to streamline efforts in processing existing applications. The program will continue to accept applications for nominees in Yukon rural communities.

The temporary suspension of applications from Whitehorse is a proactive measure to manage the current volume of submissions. The Yukon Nominee Program has received 590 applications between January 1 to May 6, 2024. As of May 6, the branch has processed 107 of these nominations, leaving 483 applications pending processing. This surpasses the 430 nominee allocation set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - IRCC for the Yukon for 2024. By pausing the intake of applications, resources can be directed toward processing existing applicants and minimizing delays.

The Government of Yukon is committed to ensuring the Yukon Nominee Program is sustainable for the Yukon's long-term immigration and labour market goals. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by businesses in rural Yukon communities when hiring workers, continued acceptance of applications from these regions is crucial in addressing their local labour needs.

Existing prioritization criteria will remain in place to help ensure that businesses relying on the program can continue their essential operations. The Government of Yukon expects to resume application intake from Whitehorse employers in 2025.

The Yukon Nominee Program is an excellent way for Yukon businesses to expand their workforce and enable newcomers to Canada to make the Yukon home. Despite the pause in Whitehorse, our team is diligently working on processing existing applications and continues to accept those to support rural Yukon. Our government is committed to providing and supporting essential initiatives to meet the needs of our growing territory and build a strong, sustainable economy.

Premier and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai

Quick facts

  • The Yukon Nominee Program is an employer-driven program and is used to help fill vital positions in the territory.

  • The typical processing time for a Yukon Nominee application is 12 to14 weeks.

  • Processing times vary with the volume of applications received and the complexity of the application. The current average processing time is 89 days.

  • Prioritization criteria is posted on Yukon.ca. Currently, the Yukon Nominee Program is processing applications in the following priority:

    1. Current work permit holders with approaching expiration dates.
    2. Visitor visa holders already in Canada.
    3. Current work permit holders with a permit expiring within a year.
    4. Individuals currently located outside Canada.
Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-222-7267
[email protected]

Saskrita Shrestha
Communications, Economic Development
867-471-3020
[email protected]

News release #:
24-240