Yukon Business Nominee Program

At a Glance

Item	Details
Program name	Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP)
Initial stay	Two-year work permit
Nomination outcome	Eligibility for Canadian Permanent Residency
Cost	Not stated in the source
Minimum net worth	$500,000 CAD verified by Yukon accountant
Minimum liquid assets	$300,000 CAD verified by Yukon accountant
Minimum capital investment	$300,000 CAD within first two years
Minimum ownership	33.33% (one-third) or 100% full ownership
Work rights	Run own Yukon business (NOC 0 or A)
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Healthcare	Must obtain Yukon Health Card
Language requirement	IELTS Level 6 or TEF Canada Level 4
Family provisions	Spouse and dependent children must reside in Yukon
Citizenship pathway	Leads to permanent residence via IRCC

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Purpose

The Yukon Business Nominee Program (YBNP) is an economic immigration pathway operated by the Yukon Department of Economic Development in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It attracts skilled international entrepreneurs to establish, purchase, or partner in businesses that diversify Yukon's economy while safeguarding local employment opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Achieve a minimum score of 65 points on the assessment grid (including at least 10 points for language).
• Score at least Level 6 in English on IELTS or Level 4 in French on TEF Canada.
• Hold a minimum of a high school diploma (higher credentials required if relevant to the business).
• Possess at least 3 years of entrepreneurial or business management experience.
• Have at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Have a minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD and at least $300,000 CAD in liquid assets, both verified by a licensed Yukon accounting firm as legally obtained.
• Not be a refugee claimant and have no active refugee claims with Canada.
• Never have been refused immigration by the Government of Canada.
• Have no active applications with other Provincial or Territorial Nominee Programs.
• Intend to settle permanently and reside in Yukon with dependents, actively managing the business in a NOC 0 or A role.
• Not have purchased or started the proposed business prior to acceptance.

Business Requirements

The proposed business must:

• Be fully owned by the applicant or a minimum of one-third (33.33%) owned in partnership with Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Actively operate in Yukon (a mere "headquarters" office does not qualify).
• Be feasible and have a reasonable chance of success.
• For purchase or partnership of an existing business: be owned by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who registered and operated it in Yukon for at least one year prior.
• Not be a home-based business (must operate in commercial premises outside the home).
• Not be a partnership between two or more YBNP applicants.
• Not be a purchase of a business owned by a current or former YBNP candidate/nominee within the previous 5 years.

Sector Eligibility

Eligible Strategic Sectors	Ineligible Sectors & Activities
• Information Technology<br>• Manufacturing<br>• Value-added Processing<br>• Forestry<br>• Tourism Products, Attractions, Services, Facilities<br>• Energy<br>• Mining / Mineral Development<br>• Agriculture<br>• Cultural Industries<br>• Film and Video Production	• Passive investments<br>• Retail, wholesale, and distribution operations<br>• Restaurants<br>• Financial services<br>• Business, consultation, and personal services<br>• Most professional services<br>• Real estate and holding companies<br>• Gas stations

Exceptions may be considered for businesses offering significant diversity, innovation, job creation, or economic benefits, unless belonging to an explicitly ineligible sector.

Investment Requirements

Applicants must invest at least $300,000 CAD in capital expenditures within the first two years.

• Eligible expenses: Purchase of commercial business property, tools, machinery (excluding passenger vehicles), and business shares.
• Ineligible expenses: Residential or recreational property, unserviced land, real estate for third-party lease, personal-use vehicles, operational and maintenance expenses (including marketing and travel), and any expenses made prior to program acceptance.

Application Steps

1. Pool Application: Submit a registration application with a business proposal summary. Qualified applicants enter the candidate pool for 6 months.
2. Selection & Full Proposal: If selected, submit a comprehensive business plan and third-party verified financial documentation.
3. Mandatory Interview: Attend an in-person interview in Yukon (representatives cannot attend on your behalf).
4. Letter of Support: If approved, receive a Letter of Support recommending a two-year temporary work permit.
5. Work Permit Application: Apply to IRCC for a 2-year work permit within 6 months of the Letter of Support date.
6. Arrival:
   • Notify YBNP and provide a travel schedule upon receiving the work permit.
   • Arrive in Yukon no later than 2 months after receiving the work permit, and within 2 weeks of entering Canada.
7. Two-Year Establishment: Operate the business, fulfill investment terms, and reside in Yukon.
8. Nomination & PR: Upon successful review, receive a Yukon Nomination Certificate and apply to IRCC for Permanent Residency within 3 months.

Program Obligations & Monitoring

Year One

• Meet with Economic Development upon arrival to provide work permits, 2-year residential leases/deeds, utility bills, advisor lists, and sign a binding YBNP Business Agreement / Performance Contract.
• Register the business, obtain commercial premises, and commence operations immediately.
• Submit 6-month in-house and year-end Notice to Reader financial statements.
• Participate in scheduled or unscheduled quarterly site visits.

Year Two

• Maintain full business operations.
• Ensure spouse and dependents reside year-round in Yukon.
• Submit year-end financial statements, commercial/residential utility and mortgage/lease proofs, customer/supplier lists, and tax returns.
• Undergo a final on-site compliance visit.

Work Permit Extensions

Candidates may request a letter of support for a 1-year work permit extension while awaiting IRCC's permanent residence decision. Approvals are at the sole discretion of Economic Development.

Required Documents

• Language: Valid IELTS (General) or TEF Canada score report.
• Identification & Civil Status: Passports (valid for at least 2 years) for applicant and dependents, birth certificates, marriage/death certificates, divorce decrees, adoption/custody documents, and parental consent letters.
• Education & Experience: Diplomas, degrees, transcripts, licenses, resume (focusing on the past 10 years), past business registration licenses, corporate tax clearances, shareholder certificates, or signed reference letters on company letterhead.
• Financial Substantiation: Foreign bank statements, property appraisals, share transaction records, pension/investment accounts, and net worth documentation verified by a licensed Yukon accounting firm.
• Settlement Plan: Detailed transition plan covering travel, housing, utilities, child education registration, social integration, and living expense estimates.
• Translation: All non-English documents must include certified translations with the translator's credentials and contact details.

Important Warnings & Administrative Reviews

• Sole Discretion: Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee approval. Economic Development retains sole discretion to accept or deny applications.
• Refusals: Applications containing misrepresentation or failing to meet criteria will be refused in writing.
• Administrative Review: Applicants may request a review within 30 days of a refusal decision. Reviews are conducted by the Director of Immigration based solely on original application data within 14 business days.
• Revocation: Economic Development will revoke nominations and cancel work permit support if an applicant misrepresents information, fails to meet arrival or meeting timelines, breaches the Business Agreement, or is refused a permit/PR by IRCC.