Overview
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) lets the territory nominate people for permanent residence. After nomination, the candidate applies to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which makes the final decision.
Employer-Driven Stream
Three categories: Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker and NWT Express Entry. A job offer from an NWT employer is required.
Francophone Stream
For qualified foreign nationals who speak both French and English and have a valid NWT job offer in any TEER (0–5).
Business Stream
For entrepreneurs who will invest in, own and actively run an NWT business under a Business Performance Agreement.
Public points grid
The Employer-Driven EOI is ranked on an official grid worth up to 845 points. A high score does not replace category eligibility.
Streams and published requirements
| Stream / category | Who it fits | Key published requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations | Workers in TEER 4 or 5 jobs | 12 months of full-time work in the same position with the same NWT employer; valid work permit; minimum English or French ability with proof of testing; employer unable to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident locally or nationally. |
| Skilled Worker | Workers in TEER 0–3 jobs | One year of full-time work in the same or a similar occupation within the past 10 years; training, experience and education for the job; valid work permit; minimum English or French ability with proof of testing; a job where workers with formal education or specialized training are in short supply. |
| NWT Express Entry | TEER 0–3 workers in the federal Express Entry pool | Registered Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code; valid NWT job offer and valid work permit; one year of full-time experience in the same or a similar occupation within the past 10 years; certification or accreditation for the occupation; program language requirement; not a refugee claimant. |
| Francophone Stream | Bilingual workers, TEER 0–5 | Valid job offer from an NWT employer; minimum language requirements in both French and English, with proof of testing. Language levels and other criteria are set in the stream's program guidelines. |
| Business Stream | Entrepreneurs | Equity investment of at least $200,000 in Yellowknife or $100,000 elsewhere; personal net worth of at least $500,000 in Yellowknife or $250,000 elsewhere; at least 33.3% ownership, unless the personal equity investment is $1,000,000 or more; CLB 4 (IELTS or CELPIP) or NCLC 4 (TEF), with results no more than two years old; experience and education to carry out the business plan; exploratory visit and face-to-face interview; funds to run the business and support the family for the term of the performance agreement; no active application in another nominee program or NTNP stream; not a refugee claimant. |
The 845-point Employer-Driven EOI grid
| Section | Factor | Maximum points |
|---|---|---|
| A. Human capital (375) | Language: first official language, up to 25 for each of reading, writing, listening and speaking (CLB 4 = 12, 5 = 17, 6 = 20, 7 = 22, 8+ = 25); second official language 25 if CLB 5+ overall | 125 |
| Age (18–20 = 40; 21–44 = 50; 45–49 = 30; 50+ = 10) | 50 | |
| Full-time work experience in the same or a similar occupation in the past 10 years (6 months = 10, 1 year = 20, 2 = 40, 3 = 60, 4 = 80, 5+ = 100) | 100 | |
| Education (certificate 20, diploma 40, trade certificate 50, bachelor's 60, master's or doctorate 80, post-secondary related to the nominating occupation 100) | 100 | |
| B. NWT labour market (340) | NWT employment by NOC level: TEER 0–1 = 100; TEER 2–3 = 60; TEER 4–5 = 30 | 100 |
| Job offer in one of 11 listed skilled trades | 40 | |
| Full-time employment in an NWT community outside Yellowknife | 50 | |
| Full-time NWT work experience in the past 10 years (1 year = 50, 2 = 75, 3+ = 100) | 100 | |
| Valid employer-specific work permit for an NWT employer | 50 | |
| C. Adaptability (130) | Post-secondary education completed in the NWT (certificate 75, diploma or higher 100) | 100 |
| Grandparent, parent or sibling who is a permanent resident or citizen living in the NWT | 30 |
The 11 trades that earn the 40-point bonus are: carpenters (72310), electricians (72200), plumbers (72300), gas fitters (72302), heavy-duty equipment mechanics (72401), automotive service technicians (72410), welders (72106), industrial mechanics and millwrights (72400), aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics (72404), air pilots (72600) and chefs (62200). The program notes the list may change.
2026 draws
| Draw date | Profiles in pool | Invitations | Express Entry / Skilled Worker / Entry Level | Yellowknife / outside | Score range invited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | 295 | 65 | 32 / 20 / 13 | 37 / 28 | 597 to 417 |
| June 25, 2026 | 300 | 79 | 40 / 20 / 19 | 52 / 27 | 590 to 386 |
| August 26, 2026 | 260 | 104 | 47 / 21 / 36 | 83 / 21 | 555 to 346 |
| September 25, 2026 | 197 | 105 | 26 / 21 / 58 | 96 / 8 | 492 to 317 |
The lowest invited score fell from 417 in March to 317 in September. The number of invitations depends on the territory's allocation, which the EOI page does not state. On the official table, the September 25 location split (96 + 8) adds to 104 while the invitation total is 105; we show the figures as published.
EOI rules
- Only one active EOI per person; if several are submitted, the newest is kept.
- The EOI page sets no submission deadline or cap on applicants and does not state an expiry period.
- To change a profile, withdraw it and resubmit by emailing the program.
NOC and TEER: they change both category and score
Confirm the five-digit NOC code from the duties before choosing a category or claiming points. The calculator cannot decide whether a job belongs to a listed trade code.
Category
TEER 4–5 jobs go to Entry Level/Semi-Skilled; TEER 0–3 jobs go to Skilled Worker or NWT Express Entry.
Trades bonus
Do not claim the 40 points because a title sounds like a trade; the NOC must be one of the 11 listed codes.
Same or similar occupation
Work experience points count only experience in the same or a similar occupation as the nominating job.
Licensing
Meet territorial certification, registration or licensing requirements in addition to matching the NOC.
Find your NOC code and TEER category
How the Employer-Driven process works
- Employer registersAn eligible NWT employer agrees to apply on the worker's behalf and registers in the online portal.
- Worker confirms the NOC and categoryMatch duties, TEER, experience, language and licensing before claiming points.
- Worker submits the EOIChoose the category and enter only documented human-capital, NWT labour-market and adaptability factors.
- Ranked drawThe employers of the highest-ranking candidates are invited to submit a full application.
- Employer and worker submit the full applicationEmployer application, employment standards verification form, sample contract and the worker's documents.
- Apply to IRCC after nominationNWT Express Entry nominees use Express Entry; others use the non-Express Entry route. Keep status and the nomination conditions.
Forms, Business Stream steps and contacts
Employer-Driven forms
The program lists these for the Employer-Driven categories: the nominee information form or applicant form, the employer application, the category checklist, authorization or cancellation of a representative (nominee and employer), the Employment Standards Verification Form and a sample employment contract. Proof of language testing is also required. The Francophone Stream uses its own checklist and an Employer Info and Declaration Form.
Language levels
The Entry Level/Semi-Skilled, Skilled Worker and NWT Express Entry pages require minimum English or French ability but do not state a CLB level; the levels are in the program guidelines. Check them before testing.
Business Stream steps
Self-assessment, then an exploratory visit and face-to-face interview; the program pre-screens the concept and, if successful, invites a formal application and business plan; if approved, a two-year Business Performance Agreement begins, with an arrival report, interim reports and a final report before nomination. The department may deny an application at any step, decisions are final and there is no appeal.
Business Stream suitability
Applicants must also show reasonable knowledge of the NWT and its economy, business communication skills, and readiness to settle full-time in the territory. The official page lists no fee or deposit; ask the program before relying on that.
Employers and nominees use the online portal at ntnp.immigratenwt.ca. Contact the program at 1-855-440-5450 or immigration@gov.nt.ca.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be working in the NWT already?
Entry Level/Semi-Skilled requires 12 months full-time in the same position with the same NWT employer. Skilled Worker and NWT Express Entry require a valid NWT job offer and a valid work permit, plus one year of related experience that can be from anywhere.
Does a job outside Yellowknife help?
Yes. Full-time employment in a community outside Yellowknife adds 50 points, and the Business Stream's investment and net worth minimums are lower outside Yellowknife.
Does an expression of interest guarantee a nomination?
No. The program states that an EOI does not guarantee a nomination or the ability to submit a full application. There is no deadline to submit an EOI, but you must keep your information accurate; to update a profile, withdraw it by emailing immigration@gov.nt.ca and submit a new one.
How do I contact the program?
The program lists a toll-free line, 1-855-440-5450, and the email address immigration@gov.nt.ca. Employers register and apply through the program's online application portal.
When is the next draw?
The program expects the next draw in early 2027, with the date to be confirmed in late 2026.
Official sources
- Government of the NWT: Immigrate here
- Government of the NWT: Employer-Driven Stream
- Government of the NWT: Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations
- Government of the NWT: Skilled Worker
- Government of the NWT: NWT Express Entry
- Government of the NWT: Expression of Interest
- Government of the NWT: Employer-Driven Stream EOI points grid
- Government of the NWT: Francophone Stream
- Government of the NWT: Business Stream
- IRCC: Fee list
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.