Yukon Community Pilot (YCP)

Last updated: 14 March 2023

Under this pilot project, foreign nationals may be issued open work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) if they have job offers in one of the participating Yukon communities.

The Yukon Community Pilot targets prospective immigrants who have a provincial nomination from the Yukon and valid job offer(s) from up to three employers located in one of six participating communities.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Nationals

Individuals who meet the following eligibility requirements can submit an application for a community-based work permit through the YCP:

  • Have a job offer in one of the following participating communities in the Yukon:
    • Carcross
    • Carmacks
    • Dawson City
    • Haines Junction
    • Watson Lake
    • Whitehorse
  • Have 2 to 3 job offers with up to 3 employers in one community that amount to 1,560 hours in a single year (or the equivalent of annual full-time work).
  • Each foreign national’s job offers must all be in the same community but may be for the same or different employers.
  • Each job offer should reflect work in a single National Occupational Classification (NOC).

YCP Application and Nomination Process

  • Applicants can only submit their application for a two-year open work permit (restricted by location under an LMIA-exemption) electronically.
  • Applicants must include the following documents with their application:
    • a copy of the nomination letter from the Yukon confirming that they have been nominated for permanent residence.
    • a statement from the Yukon saying that the nominated individual is urgently needed in the community by the employer who is making the job offer,
    • a document listing of names of the employers, job offers related to each of those employers, the location and number of hours for each job or position. That document also should state that the job offer will create economic benefits and that wages and working conditions would be sufficient to attract and retain Canadian citizens.
  • The open work permit issued with a mandatory condition restricting the location to the participating community will be valid for 2 years from the date of decision or date of entry to Canada or until the expiry of the travel document, whichever comes first.
  • If the processing of the application for permanent residence takes more than two years and the work permit is about to expire, the applicant may be allowed to apply for an extension.

YCP Open Work Permit for Spouses or Common-law Partners

A location-specific open work permit may be issued to a spouse or common-law partner if the principal applicant is employed in at least one NOC skill type 0 or skill level A or B position.

The work permit issued to the spouse or common-law partner should include a location restriction to the same community where the principal applicant is working.

The open work permit validity should be the same as the principal applicant’s (maximum of 2 years or until the expiry of the passport or travel document, whichever comes first).