Northwest Territories Nominee Program to open third application intake with revised eligibility criteria
The Northwest Territories has added a third application intake window for its Nominee Program, which will open on November 10 at 9 a.m. and close on November 24, 2025.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is aiming to process up to an additional 103 eligible applications by the end of 2025.
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
The territory has also updated its NTNP guidelines for the remainder of 2025, resulting in
- The removal of work permit expiry date requirements;
- The reinstation of 2024 work experience requirements for certain streams; and
- The removal of application submission limits for employers.
How will applications be assessed?
To meet its 300-nomination allocation for 2025, the Northwest Territories is aiming to process up to 103 applications.
Applications from candidates with work permits expiring within the next three months will be given priority.
After this, the date that the territory received a candidate’s application will be taken into consideration.
If more than 103 applications are received, or an application can’t be finalized by December 23, 2025, it will be withdrawn by the territory.
Candidates will be advised by email whether their NTNP application will be assessed or withdrawn.
Those who have their applications withdrawn will be invited by the territory to reapply in 2026.
What changes are being made to eligibility criteria?
The Northwest Territories has revised certain eligibility requirements for territorial nomination, which will affect both candidates and employers.
All changes made will remain in place until the end of 2025.
The three primary changes implemented are included below.
For candidates:
- Allowing candidates to apply regardless of their work permit expiry date (provided they meet all other eligibility requirements).
- Requiring candidates applying under the Skilled Worker Stream and NWT Express Entry Stream to have at least one year of full-time work experience within the last 10 years.
- This work experience must be in the same occupation or a similar occupation as the one for which the candidate is being nominated.
- This work experience can come from more than one employer.
For employers:
- Removing the limitations on the number of applications an employer is permitted to submit based on the size of their business.
Why has the Northwest Territories opened a third application intake period?
Originally, the Northwest Territories only had two application intake periods for 2025:
Intake period 1: February 27 to March 6, 2025.
Intake period 2: July 2 to July 9, 2025.
On October 17, 2025, the Government of Northwest Territories announced that it had its 2025 nomination allocation restored to 2024 levels.
This brought its total nomination spaces from 197 to 300, allowing it to nominate an additional 103 NTNP candidates.
At that time, the NWT Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland stated that the territory was working towards opening a third application intake period, and that further details would be released when available.
The November 10 to November 24, 2025, application intake period was established in order to “fill the remaining nomination spots in a timely manner.”
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
