Yukon PNP 2025: PR Nomination Slots & EOI Updates Explained

Yukon Announces 2025 PR Nomination Breakdown: What Immigrants and Employers Need to Know

The Yukon territory has officially unveiled how it plans to allocate its limited number of permanent residency (PR) nominations for 2025—offering clarity for foreign workers, local employers, and newcomers hoping to build a life in Canada’s beautiful North. Following a significant cut in its nomination allotment from the federal government, Yukon has moved towards a more structured selection process using an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

Let’s take a closer look at the details of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) for 2025, who will be prioritized, and what this means if you’re hoping to be nominated this year or next.

Key Highlights

• Yukon has a total of 215 PR nomination slots for 2025—a 50% reduction from previous years.
• A new Expression of Interest (EOI) system is now in place, prioritizing top candidates based on employer-submitted EOIs.
• Most nominations (152) are allocated to new 2025 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
• Carryover applications from 2024 and healthcare roles fill the remaining spots.
• Priority is given to workers already living in Yukon, graduates from Yukon University, and French-speaking applicants.
• No new EOI intake is expected for the rest of 2025 due to overwhelming demand.

Understanding Yukon’s 2025 Nomination Allocation

In 2025, Yukon received only 215 nomination spots from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)—a steep drop from previous years. With demand from employers outpacing availability, the territory has taken a more structured approach to how nominations are handed out.

Here’s the official breakdown of how those 215 nominations will be distributed:

This means that unless you’re already in the system or meet specific priority criteria, it may be difficult to secure a nomination this year. But don’t worry—we’ll break down what your options are if you’re planning ahead.

Why Yukon Introduced an Expression of Interest (EOI) System

Before 2025, Yukon’s employers could nominate foreign workers for PR directly through the YNP without needing an invitation. But with limited nomination spaces and increasing demand, the territory revamped its process by introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

Here’s how it works:

• Employers submit an EOI for a foreign worker they wish to nominate.
• YNP selects top-ranking candidates based on priority criteria and issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
• The selected candidates can then submit a full application for territorial nomination.

Yukon opened its first EOI intake from March 31 to April 22, 2025. However, due to overwhelming interest, the territory received more qualifying EOIs than the number of available nomination slots for the entire year. As a result, Yukon has closed the EOI intake for 2025 and isn’t expecting to reopen it until 2026.

Who Is Yukon Prioritizing for PR Nominations in 2025?

Given the limited number of spaces, Yukon is focusing on specific groups of foreign workers who are already contributing to the territory’s economy and community. The top priority is being given to individuals who received temporary support letters in early 2025—those who are already working in Yukon and who have employers committed to nominating them either this year or next.

After considering those priority applicants, any remaining nomination spaces will be offered through a randomized draw from qualifying submissions. To be included in this draw, applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Have a temporary letter of support from their employer
• Have lived and worked in Yukon for at least one year
• Be a graduate of Yukon University
• Be a French-speaking foreign national

This targeted approach ensures that Yukon’s limited nominations go to individuals who are already integrated into the territory’s workforce and communities—or who bring valuable skills such as bilingualism.

Temporary Letters of Support for Work Permits

In March 2025, Yukon launched a temporary policy to help foreign workers with expiring permits remain in the territory while awaiting PR nomination. Through this initiative, eligible workers could apply for a Yukon-specific work permit valid for up to two years.

To qualify, candidates needed an employer committed to nominating them under the YNP in 2025 or 2026, along with meeting other requirements under the federal government’s public policy supporting provincial nominees.

The application window for these support letters was short—from March 19 to April 2, 2025—but it provided a critical pathway for workers to stay employed and maintain their status as they awaited nomination.

What If You Didn’t Receive an ITA?

If you submitted an Expression of Interest but haven’t received an Invitation to Apply yet, don’t lose hope. Yukon has confirmed that additional ITAs may still be issued later in the year, depending on how many of the currently invited applications are approved.

However, if you or your employer haven’t submitted an EOI yet, you’ll likely have to wait until 2026 for a new intake window.

Final Thoughts: Planning Ahead for Yukon Immigration

Yukon’s updated nomination process reflects the territory’s commitment to a fair and strategic approach in the face of reduced federal allocation. While the limited number of PR spots in 2025 makes the process more competitive, there is still hope for those who meet priority criteria or plan ahead for future intakes.

If you’re an employer or a foreign worker interested in settling in Yukon, now’s the time to start preparing for the next intake. Make sure your documents are in order, stay informed on upcoming announcements, and consider seeking professional guidance to boost your chances.

Want to explore your eligibility for provincial nominee programs across Canada? Don’t wait—start your assessment today and take the next step on your Canadian immigration journey.