Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

Through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), prospective immigration candidates with the skills and experience the Northwest Territories is targeting can receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate, which allows them to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Overview

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) accepts applications under 2 programmes, one of which has 3 separate streams:

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) skilled category:

• Express Entry Stream
• Skilled Worker Stream.
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Occupations Stream.

Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) business category:

• Business Stream

Express Entry Stream

Detailed article onNorthwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Express Entry Stream.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Express Entry Stream offers skilled candidates the opportunity to immigrate to Canada through the federal Express Entry system. The stream is designed to address labour shortages in the Northwest Territories by recruiting eligible foreign nationals. Successful candidates receive a nomination certificate from the territory, allowing them to apply for Canadian permanent residence with priority processing times.

To take part, candidates must be eligible for one of the three federal economic programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.

They must meet the requirements of the NTNP Skilled Worker Stream, including a full-time job offer from an employer in the Northwest Territories, minimum language proficiency (CLB 6 for NOC 0 and A, CLB 5 for NOC B), and the intention to settle permanently in the territory.

Employers must also meet certain criteria, such as having been in operation for at least 1 year and complying with the Employment Standards Act. This stream is one of NTNP’s three employer-driven pathways, helping candidates obtain permanent residence quickly.

Skilled Worker Stream

Detailed article onNorthwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Skilled Worker Stream

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Skilled Worker Stream provides an immigration pathway for skilled individuals who wish to settle in the territory. The stream allows the Government of the Northwest Territories to nominate candidates who have received a job offer for a skilled position from a local employer, enabling them to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Candidates must have worked in that position in the Northwest Territories for at least 6 months before applying. They need experience in an occupation classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) level 0, A or B, together with the certification or training the job requires. The minimum language requirement is CLB 6 for NOC 0 and A, or CLB 5 for NOC B, demonstrated through tests such as IELTS, CELPIP or TEF. They must also show an intention to settle permanently in the territory.

The employer must be a business that has operated for at least one year, offer a full-time employment contract (37.5 hours per week) and comply with the Employment Standards Act. This stream forms part of the NTNP employer-driven programme, helping to meet skilled labour needs in the territory.

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Occupations Stream

Detailed article onNorthwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Occupations Stream

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations Stream is an immigration pathway for candidates who wish to work in entry-level or semi-skilled positions in the Northwest Territories. The stream enables the territorial government to help employers fill labour shortages when no local or national Canadian candidates can be found, and to nominate candidates for Canadian permanent residence.

Candidates must have worked in that position in the Northwest Territories for at least 6 months before applying. They need experience in occupations classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) level C or D, along with the ability to communicate in English or French at CLB 5. They must demonstrate an intention to settle permanently in the territory and meet the job requirements set by the employer.

The employer must have operated for at least one year, offer a full-time job offer (37.5 hours per week) and comply with the Employment Standards Act. They must show that they advertised the position but could not find local workers. This stream forms part of the NTNP employer-driven programme, supporting basic labour needs in the territory.

Business Stream

Detailed article onNorthwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Business Stream

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Business Stream opens opportunities for foreign nationals who wish to start, acquire or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories in order to obtain Canadian permanent residence. The stream targets candidates able to bring economic benefit and create jobs for the territory, in line with the region’s sustainable development objectives.

Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to establish or invest in an existing business, meeting criteria such as holding at least 33.33% of the shares and investing a minimum of 300,000 CAD of personal capital. They must submit a detailed business plan, show an intention to settle permanently and contribute to the local economy. The minimum language level is CLB 4, tested through IELTS, CELPIP or TEF, together with at least 2 years of business management or ownership experience.

The business must operate lawfully, have growth potential and not fall within a restricted sector. Candidates are required to sign an undertaking to carry out the business plan after arriving in the Northwest Territories. This stream forms part of the NTNP business immigration programme, supporting the territory’s economic development.

Find out more about the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) on the Government of the Northwest Territories website athere.