The Government of Yukon has officially received an allocation of 282 spots for the 2026 Yukon Nominee Program, which is the number of nominations the territory can approve for permanent residency in that year. This allocation determines how many skilled foreign workers can move forward through the program and eventually apply for permanent residence in Canada.
To manage this annual quota fairly and efficiently, the territory will hold two intake periods in 2026, during which employers can submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) for the foreign nationals they wish to sponsor. These details have officially been announced by the territory website.
2026 EOI Intake Periods
Employers can submit their Expression of Interest forms during the following windows:
| Intake Period | Dates |
| EOI Intake #1 | January 19 – 30, 2026 |
| EOI Intake #2 | July 6 – 17, 2026 |
During each intake period, employers must fill out an online form that includes basic information about the foreign national they intend to sponsor. EOIs will receive points based on how many program priorities they meet, and employers who submitted an EOI in 2025 but were not invited will receive additional points. The highest-scoring employers in each intake will be invited to submit a full application.
2026 Yukon Nominee Program Priorities
For 2026, the Yukon Nominee Program will focus on applicants and employers who support key areas of need across the territory. Furthermore, points will be awarded based on these priorities:
Priority Groups
| Priority Category | Description |
| Regulated Health Care Professionals | Doctors, nurses, and other regulated health professionals. |
| Employers in Rural Yukon | Businesses located outside Whitehorse. |
| Foreign Nationals with Special Qualifications | Applicants who meet at least one of the following conditions: – Have lived and worked in Yukon for at least one year – Graduates of Yukon University – Francophone or French-speaking candidates – Received a Temporary Measure Letter of Support in 2024 or 2025 |
Foreign nationals who already received a Temporary Measure Letter of Support in 2024 or 2025 do not need to submit a new Expression of Interest. Instead, the Government of Yukon will contact them directly with instructions on how to complete their application.
Federal Influence on the Yukon Nominee Program
The allocation for the Yukon Nominee Program comes from the Government of Canada each year. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determines how many applications Yukon can approve.
The federal government has also introduced a new Express Entry category that allows doctors who have worked full-time in Canada for at least one year to access a faster immigration pathway. Additionally, 5,000 extra spaces across Canada have been reserved for licensed doctors who already have a job offer.
For context, Yukon nominated 312 individuals for permanent residency in 2025, showing steady use of its provincial nominee allocations.
Step-by-Step Process for Employers
Below is a clear explanation of the steps employers must follow when participating in the Yukon Nominee Program.
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Employer advertises the job locally and nationally and confirms no suitable Canadian or permanent resident is available. |
| 2 | Employer offers a full-time, permanent position to an eligible foreign national. |
| 3 | Employer submits an Expression of Interest (EOI) indicating the desire to apply to the program. |
| 4 | The Government of Yukon assesses all EOIs submitted during the intake period and assigns points based on stated priorities. |
| 5 | All employers receive correspondence about their EOI results and whether they are invited to apply. |
| 6 | Employers not invited may submit another EOI during the second intake period. |
| 7 | Invited employers must attend an information session explaining how to complete the full application. |
| 8 | Employer and foreign national gather documents and submit a full application before the deadline. |
| 9 | The Government of Yukon reviews the application and may ask for more information. |
| 10 | Applications may be refused if they do not meet eligibility criteria or if fraud or misrepresentation is detected. |
| 11 | If approved, the employer and nominee attend an in-person meeting to sign a Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA). |
| 12 | The nominee must apply for permanent residency to IRCC within six months of approval. |
| 13 | Both employer and nominee must respond to monitoring requests and report changes to the employment relationship. |
| 14 | Once the nominee obtains permanent residency, the Yukon Nominee Program file is officially closed. |
2026 YNP Timeline
The Yukon Nominee Program follows a structured timeline for invitations, information sessions, and application deadlines.
| Date | Activity |
| January 19 – 30 | EOI Intake #1 |
| February 9 – 13 | First round of invitations to apply sent |
| February 16 or 18 | Information session for invited employers (Round #1) |
| March 4 | Application deadline for Round #1 |
| July 6 – 17 | EOI Intake #2 |
| August 3 – 7 | Second round of invitations to apply sent |
| August 10 or 12 | Information session for invited employers (Round #2) |
| August 26 | Application deadline for Round #2 |
The Yukon Nominee Program remains an essential pathway for employers who need skilled workers and for foreign nationals who wish to build a long-term life in the territory. With clearly defined priorities, structured intake periods, and support for in-demand professions, the 2026 program aims to meet Yukon’s labour market needs while providing newcomers with a transparent and predictable immigration process. For in depth details, you can consult with the official notes of the Yukon government FAQs here.