The Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) has unveiled its 2026 nomination allocation and priorities, giving employers and prospective immigrants greater clarity about how the territory plans to support permanent residence nominations this year. Yukon received 282 nomination spaces from the federal government, and the territory has structured its intake and selection system to focus on key labour needs and candidates with strong ties to the region.
đź“Š 2026 Nomination Allocation
For 2026, the Yukon Nominee Program has been granted 282 nominations that it can use to nominate foreign workers for Canadian permanent residence — the same total it held in late 2025 after receiving additional allocations from the federal government earlier in that year.
Although this number is smaller than the approximately 430 nominations Yukon had in 2024, the territory still aims to use its available nomination spots strategically to help fill key labour gaps and support community development.
đź“Ś Who Yukon Is Prioritizing in 2026
In 2026, Yukon is prioritizing candidates who can support labour market needs or who already have meaningful connections to the territory. Priority is being given to the following groups:
🌟 Priority Categories
- Regulated healthcare professionals, helping address critical staffing shortages in the territory’s health sector.
- Foreign nationals who have lived and worked in Yukon for at least one year, demonstrating local experience and commitment.
- Graduates of Yukon University, showing educational ties to the territory.
- French-speaking (Francophone) candidates, recognizing bilingual or Francophone experience.
- Individuals who received a Temporary Measure Letter of Support in 2024 or 2025. These applicants will be contacted directly by the YNP and do not need to submit a new Expression of Interest (EOI).
Yukon is also focusing on employers located in rural or remote areas — part of a push to strengthen communities outside the territory’s larger centres.
đź“… Employer Intake Periods for 2026
Unlike some provincial nominee programs that allow individual candidates to apply directly, the Yukon Nominee Program is employer-driven — meaning Yukon employers must submit applications on behalf of foreign workers.
For 2026, Yukon has set two official intake periods when employers can submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) on behalf of a foreign worker:
| Intake Period | Dates (2026) |
|---|---|
| Intake #1 | January 19 – January 30 |
| Intake #2 | July 6 – July 17 |
During each intake window, employers submit basic details about the foreign worker they want to nominate. Submissions are scored based on how well they meet Yukon’s priorities, and the highest-scoring employers are invited to submit a full nomination application.
Employers who submitted an EOI in 2025 but were not invited to apply in that year will also receive points in 2026, increasing their chances of nomination this year.
🔄 How Yukon’s System Works in Brief
Here’s a quick rundown of the Yukon Nominee Program process:
- Employer submits an EOI — Employers complete and submit an online Expression of Interest during an intake period.
- EOIs are ranked — Yukon scores submissions based on priority criteria.
- High-ranking employers are invited to file a nomination application.
- Nomination applications are submitted — Employers provide detailed documents about the candidate and position.
- If approved, the candidate can then apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
- Temporary Measure Letter holders are contacted directly and bypass the EOI step.
đź“Ť Why These Priorities Matter
Yukon’s 2026 priorities reflect the territory’s focus on meeting specific labour shortages, supporting long-term settlement, and strengthening rural communities. By prioritizing regulated health workers, local experience, and education links, the territory aims to select nominees who are most likely to succeed and contribute meaningfully to life in the North.
🧠Final Thoughts
Yukon’s announcement offers clarity and structure for 2026 immigration planning. If you are a foreign worker considering the Yukon as your destination, or an employer looking to support a potential nominee, understanding these allocation numbers, intake dates, and priority categories is essential for maximizing your chances of success under the Yukon Nominee Program.
