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Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
Last updated: 2026-09-17
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is run by the territorial government and is primarily employer-driven: the employer registers in the official portal and files the application on the worker's behalf. From 2026 the employer-driven stream is selected through an Expression of Interest scoring system — candidates complete a scored profile, the territory ranks them, and the employers of the highest-ranked candidates are invited to file a full application. The francophone and business streams remain first-come, first-served. The territory's allocation has been increased to 300 nominations, and the scoring explicitly rewards employment in small communities.
- Who it suits
- Skilled and entry-level workers already working in or offered a job in the NWT, francophone candidates and entrepreneurs
- Three streams
- Employer-driven (entry-level, skilled worker and Express Entry categories), francophone, and business
- Language
- Skilled worker: CLB 6 for TEER 0–1 (CLB 7 for Express Entry), CLB 5 for TEER 2–3; business: CLB 4
- Allocation
- Increased to 300 nominations
Official processing times
Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.
| Application type | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Provincial nominee — Express Entry | about 7 months |
| Provincial nominee — base track | about 13 months |
IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20
Processing times are IRCC's statistics on applications it has already finished — a guide, not a commitment. Individual files vary with document completeness, requests for more information and background checks. For applications where the time depends on where you file, only a few common locations are listed; use IRCC's tool for others.
The streams
Employer-Driven
- The territory's main route; the employer files the application
- Three categories: entry-level/semi-skilled, skilled worker and NWT Express Entry
- Selected through EOI scoring since 2026
- The employer must register in the portal and complete the recruitment requirements
Skilled Worker
- Occupations in TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3
- One year of full-time experience in the same or a similar occupation in the last 10 years
- A valid work permit and a permanent full-time offer of at least 30 hours a week
- Language: CLB 6 for TEER 0 and 1, CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3
Entry Level / Semi-Skilled
- For TEER 4 and 5 positions
- You must already have worked full-time in the position for six months
- The employer's advertising must run at least 30 consecutive days
- The most accessible route into the territory
Francophone and Business
- Francophone: for French-speaking candidates, still first-come, first-served
- Business: for entrepreneurs, also first-come, first-served
- Neither is oversubscribed, so neither uses the EOI draw
- The business stream requires an exploratory visit and an in-person interview
How EOIs are scored
Scoring falls into three blocks, which together tell you how competitive a profile is.
- Human capital: language ability, age, work experience and education
- NWT labour market connection: whether you are already employed in the territory, how long, whether the offer is in a trade, and whether you hold a closed work permit
- Employment in a small community, which earns points — a deliberate design choice that sets the NWT apart
- Adaptability: immediate family in the NWT, or post-secondary education completed there
- Draws run several times a year and invitations depend on the remaining allocation; an EOI is not a right to apply
The three employer-driven categories
| Category | Occupation level | Experience | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level / semi-skilled | TEER 4/5 | Six months full-time already in the position | Test results as set out in the program guidelines |
| Skilled worker | TEER 0/1/2/3 | One year in the same or similar occupation in the last 10 years | CLB 6 for TEER 0–1; CLB 5 for TEER 2–3 |
| NWT Express Entry | TEER 0/1/2/3 | As for skilled worker, plus an active EE profile | CLB 7 for TEER 0–1; CLB 5 for TEER 2–3 |
All three require a permanent full-time offer of at least 30 hours a week, a valid work permit, and the education or training needed to do the job. Language results are valid for two years.
Official employer-driven stream page →Employer requirements
The territory scrutinizes recruitment closely, and many applications stall at this step.
- The employer must register in the NTNP online portal and files the application on the worker's behalf
- Advertising must appear on two different platforms, one local and one national
- Entry-level and semi-skilled positions must be advertised for at least 30 consecutive days; skilled worker and Express Entry for at least 14
- Recruitment records remain valid for 12 months from the date of the job offer
- A completed Employment Standards Verification Form must be obtained before applying
- The position must be permanent and full-time, at least 30 hours a week
Business stream thresholds
| Item | Yellowknife | Outside Yellowknife |
|---|---|---|
| Personal net worth | CAD $500,000 | CAD $250,000 |
| Equity investment | CAD $200,000 | CAD $100,000 |
| Ownership | At least 33.3% (unless personal investment reaches CAD $1 million) | At least 33.3% (same) |
| Language | CLB 4 in English or French | CLB 4 |
| Other requirements | Reasonable knowledge of the NWT economy, experience and education matching the business plan, funds to run the business and support dependents, and a commitment to live full-time in the territory | Same |
The business route runs in seven steps: self-assessment, an exploratory visit with a face-to-face interview, pre-screening, formal assessment, a two-year Business Performance Agreement, business development, and finally nomination. Thresholds outside Yellowknife are half those in the capital.
Official business stream requirements →How to apply (employer-driven)
- 1
Secure an NWT employer and job offer
The position must be permanent and full-time at 30+ hours a week, and the employer must have completed the required advertising.
- 2
The employer registers in the portal
The employer registers the position in the NTNP system before the candidate can build an EOI profile.
- 3
Complete the EOI profile
The candidate completes the scored survey online, rated on human capital, NWT labour market connection and adaptability.
- 4
Wait for a draw and an invitation
Draws run through the year; the employers of the highest-ranked candidates are invited to file a full application.
- 5
The employer files the full application
The application includes the Employment Standards Verification Form, proof of recruitment, the job offer, language results and credentials.
- 6
Apply for permanent residence after nomination
Nominees file with IRCC; Express Entry candidates add 600 points to their profile.
Common questions
Can I file the application myself?+
No. Under the employer-driven stream the full application must be filed by the employer, who must first register in the portal. What you can do is complete the scored EOI profile — but only once the employer has registered. The francophone and business streams work differently and are worth assessing separately.
Does working in a small community really help?+
Yes. The EOI scoring includes points specifically for employment in a small NWT community, and the business stream halves the net worth and investment thresholds outside Yellowknife ($500,000 to $250,000 and $200,000 to $100,000). It is the most useful policy tilt in the territory.
Do entry-level jobs qualify?+
Yes. The entry level/semi-skilled category covers TEER 4 and 5 occupations and is the most accessible route. One hard prerequisite applies: you must already have worked full-time in the position for six months, which means being legally employed in the territory first.
Does completing an EOI mean I can apply?+
No. The territory states plainly that completing an Expression of Interest guarantees neither a nomination nor the ability to submit a full application. Draws run several times a year and invitations depend on the remaining allocation, so have language results, credential assessments and employment records ready in advance.
How does the NWT compare with Yukon and Nunavut?+
Yukon is also employer-driven but opens only twice a year and has a smaller allocation (282 for 2026); the NWT draws throughout the year with an allocation raised to 300. Nunavut has no nominee program at all — Quebec and Nunavut are the only two jurisdictions outside the PNP — so there is no territorial nomination route there.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.