The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is the Northwest Territories’ provincial nomination program. It can support permanent residence applications for people who have a valid NWT job offer or who plan to start, buy, or invest in a business in the NWT.
A common misunderstanding is thinking the program is always open. It is not. NTNP has annual nomination limits, and intakes can close when the cap is reached.
What streams are in the NTNP?
The NWT government describes three streams:
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Employer-Driven Stream
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Francophone Stream
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Business Stream
1) Employer-Driven Stream (for workers)
This stream is employer-led. You generally need a job offer, and the employer applies on your behalf.
It includes three categories:
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Skilled Worker (NOC TEER 0–3)
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Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations (NOC TEER 4–5)
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NWT Express Entry (for people already in the federal Express Entry system, TEER 0–3)
2) Francophone Stream (for bilingual workers)
This stream is for people who speak French and English and have a valid job offer from an NWT employer. It can include all TEER levels (0–5).
3) Business Stream (for entrepreneurs)
This stream is for foreign nationals who want to start a business, buy a business, or invest in and operate a business in the NWT.
2026 intake update you should publish (important)
The Government of Northwest Territories announced that:
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Employer-Driven and Francophone streams open March 9, 2026 (9 a.m. MST)
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IRCC allocated 197 nominations to the NWT for 2026
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Employer-Driven moves to an Expression of Interest (EOI) selection approach
They also said the first EOI draw is expected to begin March 25, 2026, with details such as selected score ranges to be shared online.
Also: NTNP confirmed the 2025 intake closed after reaching the cap of 300 nominations, with a plan to reopen later.
Core eligibility rules (applies to most worker pathways)
You usually need a real NWT job offer
For worker streams, NTNP rules focus on a job offer that is:
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Permanent (no end date)
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Full-time (minimum 30 hours/week, year-round)
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Work location inside the Northwest Territories (remote work outside the NWT is not eligible)
Language requirements (CLB) depend on TEER and category
From NTNP program guidelines:
Skilled Worker / NWT Express Entry
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TEER 0–1:
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Skilled Worker: CLB 6
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NWT Express Entry: CLB 7
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TEER 2–3 (both categories): CLB 5
Entry Level/Semi-Skilled (TEER 4–5): CLB 4
Work experience rules (watch this closely)
Skilled Worker / NWT Express Entry guidelines show pathways like:
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1 year of full-time experience within the last 10 years in the same or similar occupation OR
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18 months of full-time work in the NWT for the nominating employer (as described in the guidelines)
Entry Level/Semi-Skilled requires:
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working in the same position with the nominating employer for 12 months full-time before submitting an application
Internal guidance for Canadianow: don’t say “apply from outside Canada” as a general rule for Employer-Driven categories. NTNP materials emphasize in-Canada work permits and local employment for many cases, and exceptions are not the norm.
Expression of Interest (EOI): how selection works now
NTNP explains the Employer-Driven EOI system clearly:
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The EOI is not an application.
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Completing an EOI does not guarantee a nomination or the ability to submit a full application.
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The nominee completes an EOI survey after the employer registers in the NTNP online portal.
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Draws happen through the year, and the number of invitations depends on the annual nomination allocation.
Application steps (simple, correct version)
If you are applying as a worker (Employer-Driven or Francophone)
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Get a qualifying NWT job offer (full-time, permanent, in the NWT).
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Employer registers on the NTNP online portal.
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Nominee submits an EOI (Employer-Driven selection model).
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If invited, submit the full NTNP application with supporting documents.
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If nominated, apply for PR to IRCC (federal stage). IRCC confirms PR is assessed by an officer after nomination.
If you are applying under NWT Express Entry (EE-linked)
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You need an Express Entry profile first, and NTNP notes this category is for people already in the Express Entry system.
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After you accept a provincial nomination in Express Entry, IRCC awards 600 CRS points and you have 30 days to accept/reject the nomination.
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If invited by IRCC, your ITA is valid for 60 days to submit your PR application.
Fees (update your draft)
Employer-Driven Stream fee
NTNP’s Employer Driven Stream FAQ states there is no fee to apply to the Employer-Driven Stream.
Business Stream fee
Business Stream guidelines state applicants must pay a $2,800 application fee, and it is not refunded.
Business Stream minimum investment (correct the $150,000 claim)
Current Business Stream guidelines show:
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$200,000 CAD minimum equity investment in Yellowknife, or
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$100,000 CAD minimum equity investment outside Yellowknife
They also list minimum net worth thresholds and an ownership rule (at least 33.3%, unless investing $1,000,000+).
Required documents (practical checklist)
Most applicants should expect to prepare:
Worker streams (Employer-Driven / Francophone / NWT Express Entry)
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Passport + identity documents
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Work permit (often required for worker categories)
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Signed job offer / employment contract (showing permanent + full-time)
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Proof of work experience (letters, pay evidence, etc.)
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Language test results (CLB level depends on category/TEER)
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Education documents + ECA if education was outside Canada (required in guidelines)
Settlement funds (don’t write this incorrectly)
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Entry Level/Semi-Skilled guidelines specify $10,000 for the applicant + $2,000 per dependent and require bank statements for the 3 months before applying.
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Skilled Worker / NWT Express Entry guidelines describe settlement ability being shown through the job offer and wage (not always a fixed amount).
FAQ (real questions)
Is NTNP part of Express Entry?
NTNP includes an NWT Express Entry category for people already in Express Entry (TEER 0–3).
Do I need a job offer?
For worker streams, yes – NTNP focuses on a valid NWT job offer, and the employer generally applies on your behalf.
Can I apply directly without an invitation?
For Employer-Driven intake, NTNP explains the EOI is not an application and does not guarantee you can submit a full application.
Are the streams always open?
No. NTNP can reach its annual cap and close intake (this happened in 2025).
Does nomination guarantee PR?
No. After nomination, you still apply to IRCC, and an officer assesses your PR application under federal rules.
Reality check (Canadianow style)
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NTNP is quota-limited. Even strong candidates may wait for a draw or miss an intake window.
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EOI is not approval. Your score affects whether your employer is invited to apply.
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Job offer quality matters. Offers must be genuine, full-time, permanent, and located in the NWT (remote work outside the NWT is not eligible in the Francophone guidelines).
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Business Stream is not a shortcut. You need real capital, documents, and ongoing operational requirements. Fees are non-refundable.
NTNP main site (Immigrate NWT):
https://www.immigratenwt.ca/
EOI (Employer-Driven Stream):
https://www.immigratenwt.ca/expression-interest
Employer-Driven Stream:
https://www.immigratenwt.ca/employer-driven-stream
NWT Express Entry category:
https://www.immigratenwt.ca/nwt-express-entry
Francophone Stream:
https://www.immigratenwt.ca/francophone-stream
Business Stream:
https://www.immigratenwt.ca/business-stream
GNWT news release (2026 opening + allocations):
https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/nwt-nominee-program-opens-updated-selection-process
IRCC – Get/confirm a nomination (30 days, 600 points):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees/express-entry/get-confirm-nomination.html
IRCC – Apply for PR through Express Entry (60-day ITA):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/apply-permanent-residence.html
IRCC – Check processing times:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
