Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
The NTNP nominates foreign nationals — workers and entrepreneurs — who can fill labour shortages that cannot be met by Canadians or permanent residents, and who want to settle in the Northwest Territories. A nomination is the first step toward permanent residence, which IRCC decides.
3
Streams (Employer-Driven, Business, Francophone)
+600
CRS (NWT Express Entry)
No fee
Provincial Application Fee
12 wks
Processing Standard
What is the NTNP?
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is the territory's economic immigration program, delivered by the Government of the Northwest Territories (Education, Culture and Employment). It supports employers in recruiting and retaining foreign nationals — and entrepreneurs starting a business — when there are no qualified Canadians or permanent residents available.
It is a two-step process: a territorial nomination first, then a permanent residence application to IRCC, which makes the final decision. The Government of Canada sets the annual nomination allocation.
There are three streams:
Employer-Driven Stream — for foreign nationals with a job offer from an NWT employer when no Canadian or permanent resident is available — with three categories: Skilled Worker, Entry Level/Semi-Skilled, and NWT Express Entry. It is Expression-of-Interest (EOI) based.
Business Stream — for foreign nationals who want to start, purchase, or invest in and operate a business in the NWT, with a two-year Business Performance Agreement.
Francophone Stream — for bilingual (French and English) foreign nationals with a valid NWT job offer, across all NOC TEER categories.
The Employer-Driven Expression of Interest (EOI)
The Employer-Driven Stream — Skilled Worker, Entry Level/Semi-Skilled, and NWT Express Entry — uses a points-ranked Expression of Interest system. Understanding how it is scored is central to a successful application.
Expression of Interest Points Grid (maximum 845)
Points come from three sections: A — Human Capital (max 375), B — Connections to the NWT labour market (max 340), and C — Adaptability to the NWT (max 130).
A · Language — first official language (per band × 4)
| Less than CLB 4 | 0 |
| CLB 4 | 12 / band |
| CLB 5 | 17 / band |
| CLB 6 | 20 / band |
| CLB 7 | 22 / band |
| CLB 8+ | 25 / band |
A · Language — second official language (bilingual)
| CLB 5+ overall in second language | 25 |
A · Age (at EOI submission)
| 21 – 44 | 50 |
| 18 – 20 | 40 |
| 45 – 49 | 30 |
| 50+ | 10 |
| Under 18 | 0 |
A · Work experience (last 10 yrs)
| 5 years or more | 100 |
| 4 years | 80 |
| 3 years | 60 |
| 2 years | 40 |
| 1 year | 20 |
| 6 months | 10 |
A · Education
| Post-secondary related to occupation | 100 |
| Master’s or doctorate | 80 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 60 |
| Trade certificate | 50 |
| Post-secondary diploma | 40 |
| Post-secondary certificate | 20 |
B · Employment in the NWT (by NOC)
| Nominating occupation NOC 0 or 1 | 100 |
| NOC 2 or 3 | 60 |
| NOC 4 or 5 | 30 |
B · Trades job offer in the NWT
| Job offer in an eligible skilled trade | 40 |
B · Location outside Yellowknife
| Employment in an NWT community outside Yellowknife | 50 |
B · Work experience in the NWT (last 10 yrs)
| 3+ years | 100 |
| 2 years | 75 |
| 1 year | 50 |
| Less than 1 year | 0 |
B · Valid NWT work permit
| Employer-specific work permit for an NWT employer | 50 |
C · Education in the NWT
| Post-secondary diploma or higher in the NWT | 100 |
| Post-secondary certificate in the NWT | 75 |
C · Family in the NWT
| Grandparent, parent, or sibling (PR/citizen) living in the NWT | 30 |
Skilled Trades Occupation List (for EOI trades points)
A job offer in one of these skilled trades earns EOI trades points. The list is subject to change.
| NOC | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 72310 | Carpenter |
| 72200 | Electricians |
| 72300 | Plumber |
| 72302 | Gas fitters |
| 72401 | Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic |
| 72410 | Automotive Service Technician |
| 72106 | Welder |
| 72400 | Industrial Mechanic / Millwright |
| 72404 | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer / Mechanic |
| 72600 | Air Pilots |
| 62200 | Chef |
2026 Expression of Interest Draws
March 25, 2026
65 invitations of 295 profilesJune 25, 2026
79 invitations of 300 profilesThe next Expression of Interest draw was scheduled for September 25, 2026 (for profiles submitted by September 22, 2026). Draw scores and cut-offs vary each round and are not guaranteed thresholds.
NTNP Streams
The NTNP's five pathways are below — three Employer-Driven categories, the Business Stream, and the Francophone Stream. Use the navigator to jump to any stream.
Skilled Worker
For occupations requiring formal education, specialized training, or both — NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. The NWT employer registers in the portal and the foreign national submits an Expression of Interest.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Job offer | A valid job offer from an NWT employer in a TEER 0–3 occupation. |
| Work experience | One year of full-time experience within the last 10 years in the same or a similar occupation. |
| Work permit | A valid work permit. |
| Language | Meet the minimum language requirement (English or French), proven by testing at the time of application. |
| Selection | Ranked via the Expression of Interest points grid; employers of the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply. |
Entry Level / Semi-Skilled Occupations
For entry-level jobs (NOC TEER 4 or 5) an employer cannot fill locally or nationally with a Canadian or permanent resident.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Job offer | A valid job offer from an NWT employer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation. |
| Work experience | Twelve months of full-time work in the same position with the nominating employer. |
| Work permit | A valid work permit. |
| Language | Meet the minimum language requirement (English or French), proven by testing at the time of application. |
| Selection | Ranked via the Expression of Interest points grid; employers of the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply. |
NWT Express Entry
For skilled workers (NOC TEER 0–3) who already have a profile in IRCC’s federal Express Entry pool, with a valid NWT job offer — a fast-tracked route to permanent residence.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Express Entry | Accepted into IRCC’s Express Entry pool, with a registered profile and a Job Seeker Validation Code. |
| Job offer | A valid job offer from an NWT employer in a TEER 0–3 occupation. |
| Work permit | A valid work permit. |
| Work experience | One year of full-time experience within the last 10 years in the same or a similar occupation, plus the certification/accreditation and experience required per the NOC. |
| Language | Meet the language requirement; and not be a refugee claimant. |
| Selection | Ranked via the Expression of Interest points grid; employers of the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply. |
+600 CRS Points
When approved by the NTNP, an NWT Express Entry candidate receives 600 points within the federal Express Entry pool — virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply from IRCC and fast-tracked permanent residence processing. The 600-point boost applies to this category only.
Business Stream
For foreign nationals who want to start a business in the NWT, purchase an existing NWT business, or invest in and operate one. The NWT reports no wait-list and faster processing for this stream.
The process runs through an exploratory visit and face-to-face interview, a business-concept pre-screen, then a formal application and a two-year Business Performance Agreement before nomination.
Key requirements
Process: Self-assessment → exploratory visit + face-to-face interview → business-concept pre-screen → invitation to apply → formal application + business plan → 2-year Business Performance Agreement → establish and run the business → nomination → IRCC permanent residence.
Francophone Stream
For bilingual foreign nationals who speak both French and English and have a valid NWT job offer, across all NOC TEER categories (0–5). Applications are made in fixed intake windows.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Language | CLB 5 in French and CLB 4 in English, each across all four skills, in one testing session per language. Accepted tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, TEF, TCF Canada (under 2 years). |
| Job offer | A permanent, full-time (min 30 hrs/week, year-round) NWT job offer; remote work outside the NWT is not eligible. |
| Education | Minimum high school equivalent to Canadian standards; an ECA (valid 5 years) is required for foreign credentials. |
| Work experience | One year of full-time experience in the occupation within the last 10 years, OR six months of full-time NWT experience in the occupation. |
| Settlement income | $10,000 CAD for yourself, plus $2,000 CAD per accompanying dependent (e.g. $16,000 for a family of four). |
| Ineligible | Refugee claimants. Francophone Stream nominees are not eligible for nomination through Express Entry (non-Express Entry route). |
The Francophone Stream uses fixed application intake windows (three in 2025). It has a 6-month window to apply to IRCC after nomination and a 12-week processing service standard.
How the NTNP Works
The worker-stream flow has five key stages. The Business Stream follows a different multi-stage path (self-assessment → exploratory visit + interview → business plan → Business Performance Agreement → nomination).
Secure an NWT job offer (worker streams)
For the Employer-Driven and Francophone streams, first obtain a valid job offer from an eligible NWT employer. The Business Stream instead starts with a self-assessment and an exploratory visit.
Employer registers; submit an Expression of Interest
The employer registers in the NTNP online portal, then the nominee submits an EOI (Employer-Driven Stream). EOIs are scored on the points grid; the highest-ranking candidates’ employers are invited to apply through draws held throughout the year.
Submit a full application
Invited candidates submit a complete application through the NTNP portal with all required documents. Applications are pre-screened for completeness, then assessed against the eligibility criteria and NWT labour-market impact.
Receive a nomination
On approval, a nomination certificate is issued and the nominee, employer, and GNWT sign a Memorandum of Understanding (or, for the Business Stream, a Business Performance Agreement). Approved nominees can obtain an LMIA-exempt work-permit support letter.
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
Apply to IRCC within 6 months of nomination. NWT Express Entry candidates receive +600 CRS points and an Invitation to Apply. IRCC makes the final decision on the permanent residence application.
Government Fees
The NTNP does not charge a territorial application fee. The costs below are federal (IRCC) and, for the work-permit step, employer-borne.
No territorial application fee. Registering and applying to the NTNP is free. Approved nominees can get an LMIA-exempt work-permit support letter; before the nominee applies for that permit, the employer pays the federal $230 employer compliance fee in the IRCC Employer Portal. Employers cannot recover any costs from the worker.
IRCC Permanent Residence Fees (after NTNP nomination)
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $1,525 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | $1,525 |
| Dependent child (per child) | $260 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (principal applicant) | $575 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (spouse/partner) | $575 |
Important:Government fees are payable directly to IRCC and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by the relevant authority at any time. A complete itemized quote — including Asteco's professional fees, government fees, and applicable third-party costs — is provided before you commit to any service.
Employer & Job Offer Requirements
The worker streams are employer-driven, so both the employer and the job offer must meet the NTNP's requirements. Our RCIC reviews employer eligibility before you rely on a job offer.
If you are an NWT employer looking to support a candidate, see our services for employers.
How Asteco Can Help
The NTNP is an employer-driven, points-ranked program with EOI draws, tight document deadlines, and two applications (NTNP and IRCC) to coordinate. Our RCIC-regulated team manages every step.
Disclaimer: NTNP stream criteria, the Expression of Interest points grid, draw practices, allocations, fees, and processing times are established by the Government of the Northwest Territories and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information on this page reflects NTNP guidelines as published in July 2026. This page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
Ready to Apply?
Our RCIC will assess your NTNP eligibility across the worker and business streams.
Check My Eligibility — FreeBook a Free ConsultationQuick Facts
Information reflects NTNP guidelines as of July 2026. Program criteria, the points grid, allocations, and fees are subject to change by the Government of the Northwest Territories and IRCC at any time. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
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