Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) offers pathways to permanent residence for individuals who can contribute to the territory’s economy. The program includes several streams:

●  Employer-Driven Stream

●  NWT Express Entry

●  Skilled Worker

●  Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations

●  Francophone Stream

●  Business Stream

Each stream targets specific groups of applicants based on labor market needs and economic priorities.

This stream is for employers in the Northwest Territories to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence when there are no qualified Canadians or permanent residents available. 

1.  NWT Express Entry

Eligibility:

●  Accepted into the federal Express Entry pool.

●  Valid Express Entry profile and Job Seeker Validation Code.

●  Valid job offer from an NWT employer.

●  One year of full-time experience in the same or similar occupation, or 18 months with the nominating employer.

●  Required certification or accreditation for the occupation.

●  Meet language requirements.

●  Not a refugee claimant. 

2.  Skilled Worker

Eligibility:

●  Full-time, permanent job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

●  At least one year of full-time experience in the same or similar occupation.

●  Required certification or accreditation for the occupation.

●  Meet language requirements.

●  Intention to reside in the Northwest Territories. 

3.  Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations

Eligibility:

●  Full-time, permanent job offer in a NOC TEER 4 or 5 occupation.

●  At least six months of full-time experience in the same position with the employer.

●  Valid work permit.

●  Meet language requirements (minimum CLB 4).

●  Intention to reside in the Northwest Territories.

This stream is for French-speaking foreign nationals with a valid job offer from an NWT employer. 

Eligibility:

●  Fluency in both French and English.

●  Valid job offer from an NWT employer.

●  Meet the criteria of one of the Employer-Driven streams.

●  Intention to reside in the Northwest Territories. 

This stream is for entrepreneurs who intend to start, purchase, or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories. 

Eligibility:

●  Minimum investment of CAD $300,000 in Yellowknife or CAD $150,000 outside Yellowknife.

●  Personal net worth of at least CAD $500,000 in Yellowknife or CAD $250,000 outside Yellowknife.

●  Own at least one-third (33.3%) of the business.

●  Good faith deposit of CAD $75,000.

●  Demonstrate knowledge of the Northwest Territories and its economy.

●  Sufficient communication skills to conduct business in the Northwest Territories.

●  Necessary experience and education to successfully implement the business plan. 

1.  Determine Eligibility: Review the criteria for the desired NTNP stream.

2.  Prepare Documents: Gather necessary documentation, including job offers, educational credentials, language test results, and proof of funds.

3.  Submit Application: Submit your application through the NTNP online portal.

4.  Assessment: The NTNP will assess your application.

5.  Nomination: If approved, receive a provincial nomination certificate.

6.  Apply for Permanent Residence: Submit a federal application for permanent residence to IRCC within 6 months of nomination.

●  Processing Times: Vary depending on the stream and application volume; typically range from 3 to 6 months.

●  Application Intake Periods: The NTNP opens application intake periods periodically. For example, the program reopened on February 27, 2025, with a limited number of applications accepted