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Economic Development

Departmental Overview

Programs & Branches

Yukon Business Nominee Program

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Business Program	Skilled Worker and Critical Impact Worker Program

Business Program

The Business Program has two components: an Entrepreneur category and a Self Employed category. Click on one of the following links to learn more about each of these categories.

Entrepreneur

Self Employed

Program Overview

Agents:
The Yukon Business Nominee Program is administered by the Government of Yukon’s Department of Economic Development. The Department does not use agents or representatives in the delivery or administration of the program. Applicants may use the services of a qualified agent or consultant in the preparation of applications but all dealings and transactions must be between the applicant and the Department of Economic Development.

Interview:
All applicants will be required to participate in an interview as part of the assessment process. The purpose of the interview is to discuss the applicant’s business plan, assess the applicant’s knowledge of Yukon, and to assess the applicant’s communication skills. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with Department officials during any visit to Yukon – these meetings may be recognized as satisfying the requirements for an interview.

Entrepreneur

The Nominee Program will be of interest to entrepreneurs, or owner/operators of businesses who are interested in immigrating to Yukon. While most economic sectors are eligible, the industries that the Government of Yukon has identified as priority industries include the following:

Information Technology
Manufacturing
Value-added Processing
Forestry
Tourism Products, Attractions, Services and Facilities
Energy
Mining/Mineral Development
Agriculture
Cultural Industries
Film and Video Production

Retail as a stand-alone operation is not a priority sector. However, business projects in this sector will be considered if they involve a product that is new to Yukon or if the product would generate significant Yukon benefits. This includes activities such as merchandising and food and beverage services/restaurants.

A business plan is required. The applicant’s business plan may involve a new business startup or the purchase of an existing business. It could also involve investment as an active management partner in an existing business. The business plan must clearly detail the incremental benefits that will accrue to Yukon.

Eligibility Criteria under the Entrepreneur category

The applicant must invest a minimum of $150,000 CDN equity into starting or buying a business in Yukon.
The applicant must have a personal net worth of at least $250,000 CDN.
The applicant must demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of Yukon and its economy.
The applicant must be able to demonstrate reasonable communication skills.
The applicant must have the necessary experience and education to successfully implement the business plan.

Self-employed

The self-employed category of the Nominee Program is designed to attract professionals who can provide a service that is in demand in Yukon by establishing business outlets or professional practices. This category applies only to self employed professionals. Professionals that will be employed by a business or other organization should refer to the Skilled Worker Program (Department of Education)

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant's profession must be identified as a professional skill shortage.
The applicant must satisfy any certification or accreditation requirements for the particular profession or occupation.
The applicant must be licensed/accepted by the body governing the profession, if any.
The applicant must demonstrate reasonable communication skills appropriate to Yukon.
The applicant must demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of Yukon and its economy.
The applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to start and operate the professional practice and to support themselves and any dependents for a period of six months.
The applicant must submit a detailed business plan for the business or practice.

Application Review Process

The applicant must submit an application and business plan for review by the Yukon Department of Economic Development. This review may involve other government departments, agencies or the private sector. Once an applicant is accepted and the business plan is implemented, a nomination certificate for permanent residency will be issued to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Should the applicant be unable to implement the business plan immediately, a letter of support for a work permit will be issued to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to allow the applicant additional time to implement the business plan.

The Process and Time Frame

Step One: Review the information on the Yukon government website. If you meet the criteria, have made the necessary visit to Yukon, and had an interview with Department of Economic Development officials or you plan to do so, please submit an application.

Step Two: The application is reviewed to ensure that it meets basic criteria. The initial review may take up to one week. If the application is complete, it is then submitted to a business review committee for review and recommendation. It may then take two to four weeks to arrange for a meeting of the business committee.

Step Three: If the business review committee approves the business concept for Yukon, it requests that the applicant provide detailed supporting documentation and submit a detailed business plan following a standard business plan format. Information on how to prepare a business plan may be found on the Internet or in bookstores. The Canada Yukon Business Service Centre is also an excellent resource on preparing business plans.

The length of time to prepare a business plan is determined by the applicant.

Step Four: When the business plan and supporting documentation are received, the business review committee reviews it. If the committee approves the detailed business plan and supporting documentation, and if you have already visited Yukon and had your interview, the Yukon government will recommend that the Government of Canada issue a two-year temporary residence visa to the applicant. The applicant will complete the Government of Canada application for a temporary resident visa. Detailed information is available on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

It will take from two to four weeks to arrange a second meeting of the business review committee. The length of time for the Government of Canada to process an application for the temporary residence visa varies from two to twelve months depending upon which embassy is processing the information. For more information, contact the Canadian Embassy that processes your visa application.

Step Five: When you arrive in Yukon, you have up to two years to develop your business as described in your business plan. A representative of the Yukon government will meet with you from time to time. If you are making substantial progress developing your business, even before completion of two years, the Yukon government will issue a nominee certificate to the Government of Canada to start the process leading to permanent resident status. Again, the length of time varies and the embassy can provide information on the processing time.

PDF Version of The Process and Time Frame [ 57KB]