YUKON NOMINEE PROGRAM
About the Yukon Nominee Program
The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) is run by the Yukon Government in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) & this partnership allows Yukon to nominate applicants who qualify to the federal government for permanent residency.
Below are the Yukon Nominee programs:
- The Skilled Worker Program is for qualified workers who fit into National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A or B categories.
- Express Entry is for skilled workers who fit into National Occupational Classification (NOC) A, 0 and B.
- The Critical Impact Worker Program is for qualified workers who fit into National Occupational Classification (NOC) C or D categories.
- The Business Nominee Program is for individuals with proven business skills who want to own and operate businesses in Yukon.
Yukon Business Nominee Program
Overview of the Yukon Business Nominee Program
The Yukon Business Nominee Program is designed to attract and retain skilled international entrepreneurs to add diversity and innovation to Yukon’s economy.
Businesses must belong to eligible sectors, and may be startups or purchased. In all cases, the nominee must operate the business. No passive investments are allowed.Nominees receive support for a two-year work permit, during which time they are to establish themselves, their family and their business in Yukon. At the end of the permit period, nominees who meet the requirements will be supported by Yukon in their application to Canada for Permanent Residency.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicant In order to qualify for participation in the YBNP, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Has obtained a minimum score of 65 points on the assessment grid.
- Has successfully completed of high school, at minimum. If the nature of the business requires a higher education, proof of those credentials will be required.
- Has a minimum of three years of entrepreneurial or business management experience;
- A minimum of five years of relevant work experience;
- Is not a refugee and does not have an active request for refugee status with the Government of Canada;
- Has never been refused immigration by the Government of Canada;
- Has no applications with other provincial or territorial nominee programs;
- Has a minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD, with documented proof that it was obtained through legal means. This MUST be verified by a Yukon accounting firm.
- Has a minimum $300,000 in liquid assets (cash, bonds, cash derivatives etc.) with documented proof that they were obtained through legal means. This MUST be verified by a Yukon accounting firm.
- Intends to settle in Yukon permanently.
- Agrees to reside in Yukon with dependents, if applicable, while actively managing and investing in their own Yukon business. They must hold a position within their business of NOC 0 or A.
- Has not yet purchased or started the business.
- Must demonstrate how they will expend a minimum capital investment of $300,000 in the business in the first two years.
1. Eligible expenses include: purchase of property for the business (residential expenses do not qualify), tools and equipment of a business, shares of the business (which they will be operating), and machinery (excluding personal-use passenger vehicles. Even if the vehicle is occasionally used for commercial purposes).
2. Non-eligible expenses include a residence or recreational property, vehicles that are used partially for business, unserviced land for future development or real estate to be leased primarily to third parties whether for business or personal use and other personal expenses. Operational and maintenance expenses, including marketing and travel, are not considered in this minimum capital investment. Expenses made prior to acceptance into the YBNP do not qualify toward the minimum capital investment.
Proposed Business
In order to qualify for participation in the YBNP, the applicant's proposed business must meet the following criteria:
- Full ownership by the applicant or a minimum of one third partnership with Canadian or permanent resident partners
- A breakdown of the partnership after a letter of final approval is issued, and before permanent residence status is Yukon Business Nominee Policy achieved, will NOT result in revocation of the nomination or denial of support by the YBNP
- Actively operates in Yukon (a "headquarters" office in Yukon does not qualify)
- Must be feasible, comply with local regulations and laws, and stand a reasonable chance of success in Yukon For the full or partial purchase (partnership) of an existing business, the business must be owned by a Canadian or a permanent resident, who has registered and operated the business in Yukon for a minimum of one year prior to the application
- Must belong to one of the following Strategic Sectors:
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing
- Value-added Processing
- Forestry
- Tourism Products, Attractions, Services and Facilities
- Energy
- Mining/Mineral Development
- Agriculture
- Cultural Industries
- Film and Video Production
- Must NOT belong to one of the following ineligible sectors and activities:
- Passive investments
- Retail, wholesale operations, distribution operations
- Restaurants
- Financial services
- Business, consultation and personal services
- Most professional services
- Real estate
- Holding companies Yukon Business Nominee Policy
- Gas stations
- CANNOT be a business partnership between two or more YBNP applicants;
- CANNOT be a home-based business (the business must be located in building premises outside the applicant's home)
- CANNOT be the purchase of a business owned by a current or previous YBNP candidate or nominee within the previous five years
- Exceptions may be considered if the proposed business is deemed by the YBNP to offer substantial diversity, innovation, job creation or economic benefits to a community, even if the proposed business belongs to an ineligible sector or activity.