Maple News reports that the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP) has implemented a significant change in how applications for permanent residency nominations are submitted. As of 2025, both employers and foreign nationals must navigate a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system, replacing the previous direct application route.
Under this modernized, pool-based format, Yukon’s government will now require employers to first submit an EOI—a simplified web form providing information about the foreign worker they hope to nominate. The YNP will then assess these submissions and invite selected candidates to proceed with a full application.
This marks a departure from the earlier process, where employers could directly submit complete nomination applications without pre-approval. According to Maple News, the introduction of the EOI system is designed to streamline application management and enable the territory to focus on labor needs more strategically.
However, immigration consultants note that this change may make it more competitive to secure a nomination through the YNP. Because not all EOIs will result in invitations, both employers and applicants will need to ensure that submissions are as strong and aligned with Yukon’s priorities as possible.
The inaugural EOI intake period under the new system will open on March 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Yukon Standard Time and close on April 22, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Yukon Standard Time. This limited intake suggests that timely and well-prepared submissions will be critical.
For the 2025 cycle, Maple News has learned that priority will be given to certain categories of candidates, though the YNP has not officially released a full list of targeted occupations or selection criteria. Generally, these initiatives prioritize applicants with in-demand skills or those supporting regional economic goals.
Yukon’s revised nomination process follows a national trend toward Expression of Interest systems, which are already widely used in programs such as Canada’s Express Entry. It allows provinces and territories to better manage the volume and quality of applications they receive and tailor immigration to local workforce needs.
Employers and foreign workers interested in immigration pathways through Yukon are advised to prepare early, understand the new requirements, and monitor updates from territorial authorities as the intake period approaches.