The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) allows the Northwest Territories to nominate foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence based on the territory's economic and labour market needs. Nominees then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to finalize their permanent residence.
The NTNP operates under three streams: an Employer-Driven Stream, a Francophone Stream, and a Business Stream. As of 2026, the Employer-Driven Stream transitioned to an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, replacing the previous first-come, first-served application process; the Francophone and Business streams continue to accept applications directly on a first-come, first-served basis, as they are not oversubscribed. The territory's annual nomination allocation for 2026 is 197 nominations.
Program streams
Employer-Driven Stream
For foreign nationals who have a job offer from a Northwest Territories employer. The Employer-Driven Stream includes the following categories and uses an EOI draw system for selection.
| Category | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| NWT Express Entry | Candidates with an active federal Express Entry profile and a job offer from an NWT employer. Linked to the federal Express Entry system to allow expedited permanent residence processing after nomination. |
| Skilled Worker | Workers with a job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0–3) from an NWT employer. Candidates are ranked in the EOI system based on language ability, work experience, education, age, and connection to the NWT labour market. |
| Critical Impact Worker | Workers with a job offer in semi-skilled occupations (NOC TEER 4–5) where the NWT has a documented critical labour shortage. Must meet minimum language and work experience requirements. |
How the EOI draw system works: Employers register on the NWT online portal, after which the candidate completes an EOI survey. Candidates are scored and ranked. The territory holds EOI draws throughout the year as needed rather than on a fixed quarterly schedule — the first 2026 draw took place March 25 and invited up to 65 eligible applicants. Invited candidates are then eligible to submit a full application; applications are assessed in the order they are received.
Francophone Stream
For French-speaking foreign nationals with a job offer from an NWT employer. Unlike the Employer-Driven Stream, the Francophone Stream is not part of the EOI draw system — it remains open on a first-come, first-served basis because it is not oversubscribed.
| Category | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Francophone Stream | French-speaking workers with a genuine NWT job offer and CLB/NCLC 7+ proficiency in French, open to a broader range of NOC TEER levels than the Employer-Driven Stream's Skilled Worker and Critical Impact Worker categories. |
Business Stream
For entrepreneurs who intend to start, purchase, or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories. The Business Stream does not use the EOI draw system and generally remains open when other streams are at capacity.
| Category | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Experienced business owners or managers who will establish or acquire a business in the NWT, sign a two-year Business Performance Agreement, and actively manage the business from within the territory. Minimum investment and net worth requirements apply and vary based on whether the business is located in Yellowknife or in other NWT communities. |
*Key Business Stream thresholds (outside Yellowknife): minimum net worth $250,000, minimum investment $100,000. Inside Yellowknife: minimum net worth $500,000, minimum investment $200,000.*
How to apply
Employer-Driven Stream: The employer registers on the NWT portal; the candidate then completes an EOI survey. Candidates ranked highly in a scheduled draw receive an invitation to apply and submit a full application.
Business Stream: Entrepreneurs apply directly through the NWT immigration portal. Because the Business Stream is not draw-based, eligible applicants can submit at any time when the stream is open.
Receive a Certificate of Nomination
Approved candidates receive a provincial nomination certificate.
Apply to IRCC for permanent residence
Submit the federal permanent residence application using the nomination. Express Entry nominees typically receive an IRCC invitation within a short period after nomination.
Processing times
Employer-Driven Stream processing time depends on draw schedule and application volume; the quarterly draw schedule means candidates may wait several months between submitting an EOI and receiving an invitation. Business Stream files take longer due to the business performance period. Confirm current timelines through the official NTNP website at immigratentt.ca.
Related links
- Alberta PNP - Saskatchewan PNP - Yukon Nominee Program - British Columbia PNP
--- *Sources: Government of the Northwest Territories, immigratentt.ca program pages, current as of July 2026. The transition to the EOI draw system occurred in 2026; verify current draw schedules and eligibility criteria before advising applicants.*