The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new policy aimed at granting work permits to candidates of the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).
Yukon and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have reached a cooperative agreement to expedite the granting of work permits to potential candidates for the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).
While waiting for the processing of their PR application under YNP, foreign workers are permitted to continue working in Yukon. Those foreign nationals who are residents of the Yukon and whose work permits expire on May 16, 2024, or on December 31, 2024, may apply for a new work permit specifically for the Yukon. The duration of this permission is two years.
On Wed, 1 Oct IRCC announced that the policy allows up to 215 YNP candidates to remain in Yukon with valid work permits during the PR transition period.
The YNP will allow foreign workers to continue working lawfully while their application for permanent residence in Canada is being processed.
Background of the Yukon Nominee Program
The YNP is a targeted immigration pathway that enables foreign nationals to gain permanent residency by filling job vacancies in Yukon’s key industries. The program allows the territorial government to nominate skilled workers whose expertise aligns with Yukon’s labour market needs. Receiving a YNP nomination significantly enhances a candidate’s eligibility for permanent residency through federal programs like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
This short-term solution addresses concerns raised by foreign nationals and the business sector regarding the short-term suspension of the Yukon Nominee Program’s admissions. By granting these work permits, employers in Yukon will be able to retain employees while also assisting international workers who have settled there in their pursuit of permanent residency.
“By providing work permits for skilled workers in the Yukon, we are helping local employers retain their valuable staff. This initiative is also a positive boost for the economy and supports the growth of our population. I have personally advocated strongly to make this happen, ensuring that our community benefits from these changes. This agreement underscores the federal government’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the social and economic fabric of our communities and the North.” –Member of Parliament for Yukon Dr. Brendan Hanley
Eligibility Criteria for Yukon Work Permits
Applicants for this temporary measure must file a request with the Department of Economic Development by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, along with the necessary documentation. As a result, the department will be able to provide all letters of support in time for foreign nationals to submit their fresh work permit applications to the IRCC. The IRCC has until December 31, 2024, to apply for the work permit under this agreement.
This short-term solution addresses concerns raised by foreign nationals and the business sector regarding the short-term suspension of the Yukon Nominee Program’s admissions. By granting these work permits, employers in Yukon will be able to retain employees while also assisting international workers who have settled there in their pursuit of permanent residency.
To qualify for the new work permits under the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), foreign nationals must meet specific criteria. They need to be currently employed by a Yukon employer with legal work status and have an active application for the YNP, supported by the Government of Yukon. Furthermore, candidates must demonstrate that they can expect to obtain permanent residency in 2025 or 2026 and meet all other program-specific requirements. This structure ensures that eligible candidates can maintain their employment status while waiting for permanent residency.
Long-Term Vision for Immigration in Canada
The new policy from the IRCC is a component of a bigger plan to improve the adaptability of Canada’s immigration laws to local demands. The IRCC seeks to guarantee that immigration laws are adapted to the unique difficulties encountered by areas such as Yukon by concentrating on regionally focused initiatives like the YNP. In order to encourage sustainable growth and development in isolated areas, it is imperative that regional integration be prioritized.
The program also demonstrates Canada’s dedication to helping territories and provinces with their particular immigration requirements. The IRCC can make sure that initiatives like the YNP are prepared to satisfy short- and long-term labour market demands by collaborating closely with local governments.
This short-term action for Yukon is part of a larger initiative; the IRCC announced in September a temporary policy to grant open work permits to certain PNP candidates. The IRCC’s goals to assist local labour market demands and facilitate the conversion of more temporary residents into permanent residents are supported by this temporary policy.
In order to achieve its goal of lowering the number of temporary residents as a percentage of Canada’s total population from 6.5% to 5% by 2027, the IRCC is converting a greater number of temporary residents to permanent residents. The IRCC has already applied this policy to the Provincial Nominee Programs in Alberta and Manitoba, prior to Yukon.
What can be anticipated?
On November 1, the IRCC is set to unveil its annual Levels Plan, which outlines immigration targets for the coming year along with provisional targets for the next two years. The government has hinted that significant changes are on the horizon. Notably, this year’s plan will be the first to incorporate targets for temporary resident levels, reflecting a shift in focus within Canada’s immigration strategy. For more information, visit the source.
