The Northwest Territories (NWT) provides a distinct opportunity to establish a fulfilling life within one of Canada’s resource-rich and dynamic regions. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) allows skilled workers and critical workers and entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency while they support the territory’s economic development. NTNP serves as an excellent immigration pathway for individuals who want to make Canada their permanent home because of its welcoming community and high demand for skilled labor, along with simplified immigration procedures.
The Northwest Territories operates the NTNP as its official provincial nomination program. This program permits the territory to pick foreign nationals who meet its labour market requirements for permanent Canadian residency. The NTNP runs through a collaboration between the Northwest Territories and IRCC, which provides separate pathways for skilled workers and critical workers and business owners, or investors. The program focuses on bringing in talent while encouraging investment in the area.
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Given below are some of the benefits of applying for the Northwest Territories PNP program:
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) provides multiple immigration pathways that select skilled workers and entrepreneurs, and bilingual professionals to support both economic growth and cultural diversity in the territory.
Given below are the streams and sub-streams of the NTNP program:|
The stream targets foreign nationals who obtained permanent full-time employment through an employer located in the Northwest Territories. The employer-led stream focuses on solving important labour shortage problems across the territory.
The Business Stream welcomes entrepreneurs who want to create or invest in, or buy businesses located in the Northwest Territories. The business owner must actively run the enterprise from within the territory and satisfy both net worth and investment minimum thresholds.
The Francophone Stream allows bilingual skilled workers who speak both French and English to apply for valid job offers within the Northwest Territories. The program advances provincial goals to increasethe Francophone population numbers and develop bilingual workforce abilities.
The table below has the list of eligibility criteria for each of the NTNP streams:
| Stream / Sub-Stream | Eligibility Criteria |
| Employer-Driven Stream | Foreign nationals who have secured permanent full-time employment with an NWT employer qualify for this stream. |
| Skilled Worker | - Job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) |
| - Minimum 1 year relevant work experience | |
| - CLB 6+ in English or French | |
| - Post-secondary education or training | |
| - Legal status in Canada (if applicable) | |
| Critical Impact Worker | - Job offer in a low or semi-skilled occupation (NOC TEER 4 or 5) |
| - At least 6 months of experience with an NWT employer | |
| - CLB 4+ | |
| - Minimum high school education | |
| - Legal status in Canada (if applicable) | |
| Express Entry – Skilled Worker | - Meet all Skilled Worker stream criteria |
| - Valid Express Entry profile | |
| - Meet IRCC’s Express Entry requirements for one of the federal programs | |
| Business Stream | - Minimum net worth of CAD $500,000 (in Yellowknife) or CAD $250,000 (outside) |
| - Minimum investment of CAD $300,000 (Yellowknife) or CAD $150,000 (outside) | |
| - Minimum CLB 4 | |
| - Business plan and active management | |
| - Relevant business experience | |
| Francophone Stream | - Valid full-time job offer in NWT |
| - Fluent in French and proficient in English (CLB 4 minimum in both) | |
| - Relevant education and work experience | |
| - Intention to reside in NWT and contribute to the Francophone community |
The Northwest Territories PNP Points Calculator helps assess your eligibility based on key factors like education, work experience, language skills, and job offer. Candidates must score at least 67 points to qualify for the program.
| Factors | Points |
| Education | 25 |
| Language Skills | 28 |
| Work Experience | 15 |
| Age | 12 |
| Arranged Employment | 10 |
| Adaptability | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
The list of documents required for the Northwest Territories PNP is as follows:
You can follow the steps below to apply for the Northwest Territories PNP program:
Step 1: Verify that you meet the requirements of the correct immigration stream
Step 2: Obtain a genuine job offer or create a valid business plan, depending on your situation
Step 3: Send your complete application along with all necessary supporting documents to NTNP
Step 4: The assessment process by the NTNP leads to the issuance of a nomination certificate for approved applications
Step 5: Use your nomination certificate to start the permanent residency application process through IRCC
Step 6: Complete medical exams and biometrics
The majority of streams under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) do not charge an application fee; however, Business Stream applicants would be required to pay a non-refundable fee after they obtain their official invitation.
The table below gives you an overview of the application fees for the NTNP program:
| NTNP Stream | Application Fee (CAD) |
| Employer-Driven Stream | $0 |
| Francophone Stream | $0 |
| Business Stream | $2,800 |
Northwest Territories PNP Processing Time
The average processing time for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is around 10 to 12 weeks. However, the processing time may vary based on application volume and completeness.
The table below has details of the average processing time for the Northwest Territories PNP:
| NTNP Stream | Average processing time |
| Employer‑Driven Stream (Skilled Worker / Express Entry / Critical Impact) | Up to 10 weeks |
| Francophone Stream | Up to 10 weeks |
| Business Stream | No wait‑list / typically faster (estimated < 10 weeks) |
The table below has the top 10 in-demand occupations in the Northwest Territories along with the average annual salaries:
| Occupation | Median Hourly Wage (CAD) | Estimated Annual Salary (CAD) |
| Professional occupations in government services | $41.68 | $86,600 |
| Human resources professionals | $52.00 | $108,160 |
| Information systems analysts/consultants | $46.50 | $96,720 |
| Software engineers & designers | $50.00 | $104,000 |
| Occupational therapists | $52.13 | $108,510 |
| Kindergarten & elementary school teachers | $56.25 | $117,000 |
| Administrative assistants | $30.00 | $62,400 |
| Receptionists | $25.00 | $52,000 |
| Heavy equipment operators | $39.00 | $81,120 |
| Early childhood educators | $30.00 | $62,400 |
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Living in the Northwest Territories (NWT) offers a different kind of lifestyle with stunning nature, close communities, and high income levels—some of the top in Canada. The weather can be tough and the place is remote, but residents enjoy steady jobs, good public services, and a strong sense of community. It’s a great spot for those who want a mix of work opportunities and a love for the outdoors. Outdoor enthusiasts and newcomers looking for a culturally rich experience will find it appealing.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is an immigration program run by the Government of the Northwest Territories, working with IRCC to help meet local job and business needs. It lets eligible employers nominate foreign skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, Francophones, and business-minded individuals for permanent residency. The program aims to fill local job gaps and support economic growth in the area.
The NTNP has three main streams:
Note: Each of these streams focuses on different types of applicants and skills, offering paths to permanent residency based on what NWT needs.
The Express Entry stream in the Employer-Driven NTNP is for skilled workers who have a valid IRCC Express Entry profile and specific job offers from NWT employers. This stream speeds up the processing time and gives a 600-point boost in their federal CRS score once nominated, increasing their chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada.
NTNP usually processes full applications in about 10 weeks for Employer-Driven streams like Skilled Worker, Express Entry, and Critical Impact, along with the Francophone stream. The Business Stream might be processed faster, though exact times can vary. Delays often come from incomplete applications or missing documents. After nomination, applicants will go through IRCC’s processing, which has its own timeline.
NTNP applications need to be accurate when you submit them. It’s a good idea to double-check everything before you finalize. If you need to make changes after you’ve submitted, get in touch with NTNP directly by email or phone. Some changes like legal name corrections might require formal documents. But overall, major changes after submission are usually not allowed.
No, you don’t need a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if you have an open work permit or are applying under the Skilled Worker or Express Entry categories. For Express Entry candidates with a job offer, an LMIA or proof of job advertising is needed only if IRCC rules require it. The Critical Impact Worker category is more flexible, allowing temporary foreign workers with valid permits and at least six months of experience in NWT without needing an LMIA.
NTNP looks at applications randomly during intake and prioritizes employer nominations over work permit expiry dates. Pending applications wait in line until they are selected. While having a valid work permit is important, the dates don’t affect priority. During busy times, NTNP might pause new applications but will still process random draws from those in the active queue. Applicants with expiring permits should maintain their legal status but shouldn’t expect that to impact processing speed.
Yes, current international students or recent grads from post-secondary institutions in Canada can apply under Skilled Worker or Express Entry categories, as long as they have full-time job offers in NWT and meet other criteria like certifications, work experience, and language levels. Graduating from NWT isn’t required, but it may help show ties to the area. There’s no dedicated student stream, so applicants must also show intent to stay in NWT and maintain legal status if already in Canada.
The general requirements for NTNP include:
