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Last Updated 16 September 2026

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP): Streams, Eligibility & How to Apply

About Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories is a region in northern and northwest Canada. Northwest Territories made up more than one-third of the total area in Canada. With the creation of Nunavut in 1999, out of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories, the area that came to be known as Northwest Territories from that time onwards was reduced by more than half. The Northwest Territories (NWT), is bordered by the regions of Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east.

The provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan share the southern border of the territory. The NWT extends far above the Arctic Circle towards the northern side, encompassing various islands.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is a territorial immigration pathway with three streams: Employer-Driven, Francophone, and Business. The Employer-Driven Stream now uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) selection model. The Business Stream remains open on a first-come, first-served basis. NTNP primarily suits applicants already living and working in the NWT on an employer-sponsored work permit.

Northwest Territory latest draw:

Draw	No. of Draws	Total Invitations
First EOI draw (March)	1	65 (from a pool of 295 profiles; scores ranged 417–597)
Second EOI draw (June)	1	[BS to confirm exact figure at gov.nt.ca before publishing]
Additional EOI draw (August)	1	[BS to confirm exact figure at gov.nt.ca before publishing]
Final scheduled EOI draw (September)	Scheduled	—

"Yellowknife is the territorial capital of NWT."

Other prominent cities in the Canadian territory of NWT include:

Fort Providence
Hay River
Fort McPherson
Inuvik
Norman Wells
Fort Smith
Behchoko
Fort Simpson
Tuktoyaktuk

Northwest Territories PNP streams

The Northwest Territories and Yukon are a part of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). On the other hand, Nunavut does not have any immigration program for the induction of newcomers into the territory. Through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program, individuals can apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

Category	Stream	Description
Employer-Driven Stream	NWT Express Entry (linked with the federal Express Entry system)	For employers intending to hire and nominate foreign nationals when no Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available.
Employer-Driven Stream	Skilled Worker	A job offer from an employer in the Northwest Territories (NWT) is mandatory to be eligible.
Employer-Driven Stream	Entry-Level / Semi-Skilled Occupations	For employers seeking to fill shortages in entry-level positions.
Business Stream	NA	For individuals intending to start a business, purchase an existing business, or invest in and operate a business in the NWT.
Francophone Stream	NA	For French-speaking candidates with a full-time job offer from an NWT employer. Minimum language requirement: CLB 5 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The occupation must fall under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is not part of the EOI system.

New Selection Model: Expression of Interest (EOI) System for the Employer-Driven Stream

The Employer-Driven Stream no longer runs on a simple first-come, first-served basis. It now uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) model, introduced by the GNWT to manage high demand and better match candidates to territorial labour market needs.

How the EOI system works:

1. The NWT employer registers first and creates an online account with the NTNP.

2. The employer submits an EOI on behalf of the foreign national they wish to nominate.

3. The candidate's profile is scored on: skills and experience (age, language ability, work experience, education), connections to the NWT (current job, past NWT work experience, trades job offers), and likelihood of settling in the NWT (family ties, community connection).

4. Profiles are ranked in a pool. The highest-scoring profiles receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in scheduled EOI draws.

5. Only employers of invited candidates may then submit a full nomination application.

6. Profiles not selected remain valid in the pool for up to 12 months.

Important: The Francophone Stream and Business Stream are not part of the EOI system — both continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility criteria for NWT PNP

To immigrate to Northwest Territories, an individual should either:

Have a valid job offer from an employer in the NWT.
Be ready to open, purchase, or invest in a business in the NWT.

The NWT Express Entry offers expedited application processing times for skilled workers that intend to live and work in the NWT. By fetching a nominee 600 points in the federal Express Entry pool, a nomination – through any of the Express Entry-linked PNP streams – is a way of fast-tracking applications for Canadian permanent residency.

Business Stream status: Currently open. The NTNP Business Stream accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis and is not part of the Expression of Interest (EOI) system used by the Employer-Driven Stream. Applicants apply directly through the GNWT's official portal, immigratenwt.ca. Always confirm current intake status at gov.nt.ca before applying, as territorial programs can change intake status with limited notice.

STEPS TO APPLY FOR THE NWT PNP

STEP 1: Check your eligibility through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator.

STEP 2: Review the NWT PNP selection criteria

STEP 3: Arrange the checklist of requirements

STEP 4: Apply for NWT PNP

STEP 5: Settle in Northwest Territories, Canada

HOW CAN Y-AXIS HELP YOU?

Y-Axis, the world’s best overseas immigration consultancy, provides unbiased immigration services for every client based on their interests and requirements.

The impeccable services of Y-Axis include the following:

Free eligibility check through Canada Immigration Points Calculator
Expert guidance/counseling for Canada Immigration
Coaching services: Expert CELPIP coaching, IELTS proficiency Coaching
Free career counseling; book your slot today
Complete guidance for Canada PR visa
Resume Marketing services to find jobs in Northwest Territories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)?

The NTNP is the Northwest Territories' territorial immigration program, allowing the Government of the NWT to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence. It has three streams: Employer-Driven, Francophone, and Business. Most applicants need either a valid job offer from an NWT employer or a plan to start, purchase, or invest in a business in the territory. A territorial nomination adds significant weight to a federal Express Entry profile, making it one of the more direct routes to Canadian permanent residence for those already connected to the NWT labour market.

Is the NTNP Business Stream currently accepting applications?

Yes. The Business Stream is currently open and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis. It is separate from the Expression of Interest (EOI) system used by the Employer-Driven Stream, so Business Stream applicants apply directly without needing to be selected in a draw. Always confirm current intake status at gov.nt.ca or immigratenwt.ca before applying, since territorial programs can adjust their intake status with limited advance notice.

What is the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system?

The EOI system is the NTNP's selection model for the Employer-Driven Stream. Rather than reviewing applications strictly in the order received, the employer submits an EOI profile on behalf of the candidate, which is scored on factors like work experience, language ability, NWT connections, and likelihood of settling long-term. The highest-scoring profiles are invited to submit full applications during scheduled draws held periodically throughout the year.

Which NTNP streams use the EOI system?

Only the Employer-Driven Stream uses the EOI system. The Francophone Stream and Business Stream continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis and do not require EOI submission or scoring. This distinction matters because candidates cannot assume every NTNP pathway follows the same application process.

How many nominations does the NWT currently have available?

The NWT's nomination allocation is set annually by IRCC and has changed more than once within a single cycle due to territorial advocacy for additional spots. Because this figure can shift, always confirm the current allocation directly at gov.nt.ca before making application plans based on a specific number.

How does EOI scoring work for the Employer-Driven Stream?

Candidates are scored across categories including skills and experience (age, language ability, work experience, education), connections to the NWT (current employment, past NWT work history, trades job offers), and likelihood of settling in the NWT (community ties, family connections). Profiles are ranked in a pool, and the highest-scoring candidates receive invitations during scheduled draws. Unselected profiles remain valid in the pool for up to 12 months.

Do I need a job offer to apply through the NTNP?

For the Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams, yes — a valid, full-time, permanent job offer from an NWT employer is required. For the Business Stream, no job offer is needed; instead, applicants must demonstrate a viable plan to start, purchase, or invest in an NWT business, along with a minimum net worth requirement.

What language requirement applies to the Francophone Stream?

Francophone Stream candidates need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in French. The job offer must also be for an occupation classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. This stream operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is not part of the EOI system.

How much does it cost to apply to the NTNP?

The Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams have an application fee of $350 CAD. Business Stream fees vary depending on the nature of the investment — confirm the current amount at immigratenwt.ca. After territorial nomination, federal permanent residence fees also apply, including the IRCC processing fee and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee.

How long does NTNP processing take?

Territorial nomination review generally takes between 30 and 150 days. After nomination, federal IRCC permanent residence processing typically adds several more months. Total timelines commonly range from 12 to 24 months, though this varies by case complexity. Always check canada.ca for current federal processing time estimates.

What are the most common reasons for NTNP refusal?

The most common reason is insufficient evidence of genuine intent to reside and work long-term in the NWT — applicants must show they plan to settle in the territory, not use it as a stepping stone elsewhere. Other reasons include the employer not meeting eligibility requirements, the occupation not matching NWT labour market needs, below-median wage offers, and incomplete EOI submissions.

How many CRS points does an NTNP nomination add to my Express Entry profile?

A territorial nomination adds 600 points to a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the federal Express Entry pool. This is high enough to guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw, making a territorial nomination one of the most powerful tools for boosting an Express Entry profile.

Who administers the NTNP?

The NTNP is jointly administered by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), which assesses and nominates candidates, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the final decision on permanent residence. Applications are submitted through the GNWT's official portal at immigratenwt.ca.

Is the Northwest Territories a province or a territory?

The Northwest Territories is a Canadian territory, not a province. Because of this, its nominee program is technically a Territorial Nominee Program rather than a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), even though it functions similarly to provincial programs and is often grouped with them in general discussion.

How does the NTNP compare to the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)?

Both are small territorial programs that require an existing employer connection in most cases. The NTNP's Employer-Driven Stream uses an EOI selection model, while the YNP uses separate Critical Impact Worker and Skilled Worker streams with direct employer sponsorship. Neither program is well-suited to applicants without an existing territorial employer relationship or genuine intent to settle in the territory.

What does an NWT employer need to do to nominate a foreign worker?

The employer must first register for an online account with the NTNP and demonstrate genuine labour market need, including that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the role. Once registered, the employer submits an Expression of Interest on behalf of the foreign national for the Employer-Driven Stream, or applies directly for Francophone Stream candidates.

What happens after my EOI profile is invited?

If your EOI profile is selected in a draw, your employer receives an Invitation to Apply and can then submit a complete nomination application with supporting documentation. Only employers of invited candidates can move forward to the full application stage — being in the EOI pool alone does not guarantee an invitation or a final nomination.

What is life like for newcomers settling in Yellowknife?

Yellowknife, the NWT's capital, is home to most NTNP nominees. Newcomers should expect an extreme winter climate, a smaller but close-knit community compared to southern Canadian cities, and a higher cost of living offset in some cases by northern living allowances. Strong demand exists for healthcare workers, tradespeople, and government sector employees.

Can I apply to the NTNP if I'm not currently in Canada?

It's possible but significantly more difficult. The NTNP strongly favours candidates already living and working in the NWT on an employer-sponsored work permit, since genuine settlement intent and NWT connection are heavily weighted in both EOI scoring and refusal risk assessment. Applicants outside Canada without an existing NWT employer relationship may find other programs more accessible.

How often does the NWT hold EOI draws?

The Employer-Driven Stream now holds multiple scheduled EOI draws throughout the year rather than a single annual intake, with additional draws sometimes added mid-cycle if the territory receives extra nomination allocation. Because draw dates and results change periodically, confirm the current schedule and most recent results directly at gov.nt.ca or immigratenwt.ca before planning around a specific date.