Why apply for the NWT Provincial Nominee Program?

The Northwest Territory PNP program promotes the recruitment and nomination of skilled foreign workers in the absence of qualified PR holders or Canadian citizens to fill the position. Through the NTNP, employers in the territory can select eligible individuals who intend to live and settle in NWT and possess the required skills, experience, and education that can contribute to the economy. Individuals who fulfill the requirements for the provincial program are given a provincial nomination certificate and an invitation to apply for permanent Canadian residence. The NWT PNP has three major Immigration streams: the Employer-driven stream, the Business stream, and the Francophone stream. The Employer-driven and Francophone streams are administered by the ECE Department in the Northwest Territory.

Note: The NWT PNP program is currently not accepting applications for the Employer-Driven and Francophone streams.

 

Northwest Territories Immigration

Northwest Territories is one of the remote Canadian territories bordered by Nunavut, Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. It is known for its hilly regions and vast forest area. With a small population, the territory boats around 33 different communities and a population of 44,718. Yellowknife, the capital city of NWT, is noted for its Great Slave Lake and is the largest city in the territory. NWT offers affordable and top-notch health and education services with low tax rates and an affordable lifestyle. The territory is student-friendly and provides plenty of student loan assistance programs for international students who wish to study in NWT. Newcomers in NWT also have many employment opportunities and competitive salaries, making it an ideal place to migrate and settle.

 

Overview of Northwest Territories Nominee Program

The table below has the general information about the NWT PNP program:

Stream	Sub-stream	Is a job offer required?	Express Entry aligned?	General requirements
Employer-Driven Stream	NWT Express Entry	Yes	Yes	Fulfill the eligibility criteria for any of the federal immigration programs (FSTP, FSWP or CEC)
				Have a valid Express Entry profile
				Be placed in the federal pool
				Have a full-time, valid job offer from a NWT employer
	NWT Skilled Worker Stream	Yes	No	Have a full-time, valid job offer from a NWT employer
				Have 12 months of work experience
				Have prior training or experience and educational qualifications required for the job offered
				Fulfill the English or French language requirements
				The job offered must be listed in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
	Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations	Yes	No	Have a full-time, valid job offer from a NWT employer
				The job offered must be listed in NOC TEER 4 or 5
				Fulfill the requirements for a temporary foreign work permit
				Fulfill the English or French language requirements
Business Stream	Business Stream	No	No	Must be able to invest $200,000 CDN if you want to start or purchase a business in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
				Must be able to invest $100,000 CDN if you want to start or purchase a business outside Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
				Must own at least 33.3% shares in the business
				Have a net worth of $500,000 CDN if you want to start or purchase a business in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
				Have a net worth of $250,000 CDN if you want to start or purchase a business outside Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
				Proof of intention to work and settle in NWT
				Score CLB 4 or NCLC 4
				Have sufficient funds to settle in NWT
Francophone Stream	Francophone Stream	Yes	No	Score CLB 4 in English or CLB Level 5 in French
				Have a full-time, valid job offer from a NWT employer
				The job offer must offer wages that are equal to or more than the wages offered in NWT
				Have a valid work permit
				Have at least 12 months of full-time experience in the nominated occupation
				Completed a minimum of high school education that is equal to the Canadian standards
				Have an ECA report if you have studied outside Canada
				Maintain settlement funds of CAD $10,000

 

What is the NTNP program?

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) offers three main immigration streams for employees to choose from. Individuals who are looking to settle in NWT with a Canada PR can select any of the following NTNP streams:

• Employer Driven stream

• Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations
• Skilled Workers
• NWT Express Entry

• Business Stream
• Francophone stream

 

NWT Employer-Driven Stream

The Employer-Driven stream facilitates employers in NWT to recruit and nominate skilled foreign nationals in the absence of Canadian residents and PR holders to take up the job. Skilled workers who the employers require are hired and invited to apply for permanent residency through three main immigration streams:

• Entry level/Semi-skilled occupations
• Skilled worker
• NWT Express Entry

 

NWT Entry level/ Semi-skilled occupations

The entry-level/semi-skilled occupations facilitate employers facing a labor shortage, where PR holders, citizens, or local Canadians cannot fill the job opening. This stream is mainly designed to increase the labor market for entry-level NOC TEER 4 and 5 positions.

Eligibility Criteria for the NWT Entry level/semi-skilled occupations

The list of eligibility criteria to qualify for the Entry level/semi-skilled occupations is as follows:

• A valid work permit
• A valid passport
• Proof of bank statements for 3 months before applying for the program
• Work permit support letter (For LMIA-exempt applicants)
• Have the accreditation or certification for the NOC in the job offered
• Fulfill the NWT licensing, registration, and certification requirements
• Have worked for a minimum of 6 months for the nominating employer
• Have an ECA Report
• Must score a minimum of CLB level 4 in English or French
• Have proof of funds worth CAD 10,000 with CAD 2,000 for each accompanying member

 

NWT Skilled Worker

The NWT Skilled Worker category facilitates Northwest Territory employers to invite eligible skilled workers in cases where there is a labor shortage to occupy jobs in NWT that require highly specialized training or authorized education. Occupations listed under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 qualify for this category. Foreign skilled workers must have 12 months of full-time experience in a relevant occupation while also fulfilling the training, education, and experience required for the job.    

Eligibility Criteria for NWT Skilled Worker

The list of eligibility criteria to qualify for the Skilled Worker category is as follows:

• A valid work permit
• A valid passport
• Proof of bank statements for 3 months before applying for the program
• Work permit support letter (For LMIA-exempt applicants)
• Fulfill the NWT licensing, registration, and certification requirements
• Have an ECA Report
• Have a minimum of 12 months of work experience in the last 10 years in the same or similar occupation 
• Must score CLB Level 6 in English or French for applicants in the NOC TEER 0 and 1
• Must score CLB Level 5 in English or French for applicants in the NOC TEER 2 and 3
• Submit proof of sufficient funds to settle in NWT

 

NWT Express Entry

The Express Entry NWT category is only for skilled workers with an active Express Entry profile who are admitted to the federal Express Entry pool. Occupations listed under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 can qualify for this category. Through Express Entry, NWT employers can retain skilled professionals by expediting their PR applications. Foreign nationals selected through this category can score 600 points in the Express Entry pool. 

Eligibility Criteria for NWT Express Entry

The list of eligibility criteria to qualify for the Express Entry category is as follows:

• You are currently placed or accepted in the IRCC’s Express Entry pool.
• Have a registered and valid Express Entry profile.
• Acquire a Job Seeker Validation code.
• Have a minimum of 12 months of experience in an occupation that is the same or similar to the nominated occupation in the last 10 years.
• Fulfill the requirements for NOC employment and accreditation or certification for a particular trade.
• Must not be a refugee
• Show proof of intent to work and settle in NWT.

 

How to apply for the NWT Employer - Driven Stream?

The employer offering you the job in NWT is required to apply for the streams listed under the NTNP Employer-driven stream. The general application process while applying for the stream is as follows:

Step 1: The employer in NWT registers online for the program using the employer ID

Step 2: You will receive an email with a user ID confirming your registration

Step 3: You can complete the activation process by clicking on the link sent via email

Step 4: Complete and submit the application

Step 5: The employer will be notified after the assessment of the application

 

NWT Business Stream

Foreign nationals looking to set up their own business or buy an existing one in the Northwest Territories or those looking to invest in or manage a business in the territory can apply for the NWT Business stream.

 

Eligibility Criteria for the NWT Business Stream

The list of eligibility criteria to qualify for the Business stream is as follows:

• Have prior experience in managing and running a successful business
• Have the minimum educational qualifications required for the business.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and dependents (If any) throughout the Business Performance Agreement term
• Submit proof of at least 33.3% ownership of the business, with an exception for those who have made a personal investment (equity) of CAD 1,000,000   
• Must be able to invest:

• CAD 200,000 (in equity) if you wish to purchase or start a business inside the corporate regions of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
• CAD 100,000 (in equity) if you wish to purchase or start a business outside the corporate regions of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

• Must maintain a net worth of:

• CAD 500,000 if you wish to purchase or start a business inside the corporate regions of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
• CAD 250,000 if you wish to purchase or start a business outside the corporate regions of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

• Must not have a registered application with other streams in the NWT PNP or other Canadian provincial programs 
• Proof of intention to live and settle in the Northwest Territory

 

How to apply for the NWT Business Stream?

You can follow the steps given below to apply for the Business stream:

Step 1: Conduct a self-assessment to check if you are eligible for the Business stream

Step 2: Visit NWT for an interview and an exploratory visit

Step 3: Have your business concept pre-screened

Step 4: Receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply)

Step 5: Submit your application with a Business plan

Step 6: Get a Business Performance Agreement after your application is approved

Step 7: Receive a nomination to apply for Canadian Permanent residency

 

NWT Francophone Stream

Foreign nationals proficient in English and French with a verified employment offer from an employer in NWT can apply for the NTNP Francophone stream.

Note: Applicants who receive a nomination for the Francophone stream may not be eligible for the NTNP Express Entry stream.

 

Eligibility Criteria for the NWT Francophone Stream

The list of eligibility criteria to qualify for the Francophone stream is as follows:

• A valid passport
• Have completed high school education that is equivalent to the Canadian standards
• Have English language proficiency with a score of CLB Level 4 and French language proficiency of CLB Level 5 equivalent. 
• A valid Canada work permit
• Work permit support letter (For LMIA-exempt applicants)
• Proof of bank statements for 3 months before applying for the program.
• Proof of pay slips for the recent 3 months (Required for those who are currently working for a nominating NWT employer)
• Have a full-time and permanent employment offer from a registered NWT employer who is a Canadian citizen or PR holder.
• The wage offered by the employer must be equivalent to or more than the one provided in NWT.
• Have a minimum of 12 months of established work experience in the nominated occupation.
• Submit an ECA Report
• Have proof of funds worth CAD 10,000 with CAD 2,000 for each accompanying member
• Have an NOC code that matches the job description

 

How to apply for the NWT Francophone Stream?

You can follow the steps given below to apply for the Francophone stream:

Step 1: Check if you fulfill the eligibility for the Francophone stream

Step 2: If yes, register for the stream              

Step 3: Receive an online confirmation that has your login credentials for account activation

Step 4: Apply for the stream

Step 5: Wait for a response from the officials

 

Application fees for NTNP

The cost of applying for the Northwest Territories PNP is free for most of the immigration streams under the program. The table below has information on the application fees for the NTNP:

Stream	Application Fees
Express Entry System for Skilled Workers	Free
Skilled Worker Program	Free
Critical Impact Worker Program	Free
Entrepreneur Business	$2,800

 

NTNP processing time

The average processing time for the NWT Provincial Nominee Program (NTNP) is around 10 weeks. Complete applications with no mistakes, and all the documents and forms attached are usually processed within the given time. The processing time may also vary depending on the type of stream that you choose.