The Northwest Territories invites 105 candidates to pursue nomination for permanent residence
On September 25, the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) invited 105 foreign workers to apply for territorial nomination.
Once nominated by the territory, a successful nominee can apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence (PR).
Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation
Nominees may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after they submit their PR application.
Since June 9, 2026, nominees applying for PR from within Canada through a base PNP can apply for a BOWP months sooner, under a temporary federal measure that removes the need to first receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
Draw details
The NTNP issued invitations to candidates with profile scores ranging from 317–492 under three pathways of its Employer-Driven Stream:
| Pathway | Invitations issued |
|---|---|
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 58 |
| NWT Express Entry | 26 |
| Skilled Workers | 21 |
Of these invitations, the NWT notes that 96 went to workers in Yellowknife, and eight to workers outside Yellowknife.
The NTNP considered 197 profiles for this draw, which was the last scheduled draw of 2026.
Over the course of 2026, the NTNP has invited a total of 353 candidates to apply for territorial nomination under the Employer-Driven Stream, distributed as follows:
| Date of draw | Invitations issued | Invitations issued by pathway | Profiles considered |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 25 | 105 | Entry Level/Semi-Skilled: 58 NWT Express Entry: 26 Skilled Workers: 21 | 197 |
| August 26 | 104 | Entry Level/Semi-Skilled: 36 NWT Express Entry: 47 Skilled Workers: 21 | 260 |
| June 25 | 79 | Entry Level/Semi-Skilled: 19 NWT Express Entry: 40 Skilled Workers: 20 | 300 |
| March 25 | 65 | Entry Level/Semi-Skilled: 13 NWT Express Entry: 32 Skilled Workers: 20 | 295 |
How to be considered under the NTNP’s Employer-Driven Stream
The NWT states on its Expression of Interest web page that its next draw under the Employer-Driven Stream will take place in early 2027, with the date to be confirmed in late 2026.
In late February 2026, the NTNP replaced the first-come, first-served intake model for its Employer-Driven Stream with an EOI system due to high demand.
Prospective candidates must now submit an EOI profile and are awarded points (max 845) across three areas:
- Skills and experience (up to 375 points), including age, language ability, work experience, and education;
- Connections to the NWT (up to 340 points), including current job or employment status, a trades job offer, or previous work experience in the territory; and
- Likelihood of settling in the NWT (up to 130 points), based on factors such as family ties and previous post-secondary study in the territory.
A full breakdown of the points grid can be found here.
Because the stream is employer-driven, both the candidate and employer must take part in the process, which functions as follows:
- The candidate obtains an eligible job offer from an in-territory employer.
- The candidate and employer confirm that they meet the stream requirements.
- The employer creates an account for the candidate through the NTNP portal under the Employer-Driven Stream.
- The candidate completes and submits an EOI using the account credentials provided by the employer.
EOI profiles remain active in the pool for 12 months, after which they expire.
The Government of the Northwest Territories evaluates and scores all active profiles and periodically conducts draws in which it issues invitations to apply to candidates in the pool.
If selected in a draw, the candidate can advance to the nomination stage, with the employer submitting the application on their behalf.
The NTNP processes complete applications that it receives, and issues territorial nominations to successful applicants.
Applicants to the NTNP include both those who have been invited through the EOI system under the Employer-Driven Stream and applicants who apply directly through the Francophone Stream and Business Stream.
In August, the federal government increased the NTNP’s quota, authorizing it to nominate up to 300 successful applicants in 2026.
Prior to the increase, the NTNP’s annual quota was 197.
- 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
