Northwest Territories PNP — Permanent Residence Pathway
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program - NTNP is the territorial nominee program for foreign nationals who want to settle permanently in the Northwest Territories. The program supports employers who need to recruit and retain foreign workers where no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the position.
The Northwest Territories can be a strong immigration option for applicants targeting Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Providence, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, and other NWT communities.
The NTNP includes three main streams: Employer-Driven Stream, Francophone Stream, and Business Stream. The Business Stream is covered separately on the business immigration page. The normal worker pathways fall mainly under the Employer-Driven Stream and Francophone Stream.
Halani Immigration Services Inc. provides professional guidance for NTNP applications. Our services are led by Shoukat Qumruddin Halani, RCIC-IRB, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants - CICC under License No. R711322.
How the Northwest Territories PNP works: NTNP is strongly employer-driven. To apply under the Employer-Driven Stream, the applicant must first have a job offer from an NWT employer, and the employer must apply on the worker's behalf. The Employer-Driven Stream has three categories: Entry Level / Semi-Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker, and NWT Express Entry. The NTNP also has a Francophone Stream for qualified foreign nationals who speak both French and English and have a valid job offer from an NWT employer.
Important 2026 NTNP updates: (1) IRCC allocated 197 nominations to the NTNP for 2026 - a limited allocation, so applicants and employers should treat the program as competitive and capacity-managed. (2) The NTNP Employer-Driven Stream now uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. The first 2026 draw took place on 25 March 2026 - 295 profiles were submitted and the top 65 profiles were selected (32 under NWT Express Entry, 20 under Skilled Worker, 13 under Entry Level / Semi-Skilled). (3) Upcoming 2026 NTNP Employer-Driven Stream selection rounds are scheduled for 25 June 2026 (profile deadline 22 June 2026) and 25 September 2026 (profile deadline 22 September 2026). Up to 65 applicants may be invited in each round, and only invited employers can submit a full application. (4) Profiles that are not selected remain in the EOI pool for up to 12 months from the date the profile was first submitted. The NTNP scores profiles based on skills and experience, connections to the NWT, and likelihood of settling in the territory.
Active streams under NTNP
Entry Level / Semi-Skilled Occupations (TEER 4 and TEER 5)
Base / Non-EEFor NWT employers who need to fill critical labour shortages in entry-level roles where no qualified local residents, permanent residents, or Canadian citizens are available. Applies to NOC TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations.
- Full-time, permanent job offer from an NWT employer
- Position in TEER 4 or TEER 5
- Employer must apply on the worker's behalf
- Employer must meet NTNP eligibility requirements
- Applicant must meet work experience, education, and job requirements
- Minimum CLB 4 in English or French across all four abilities
- Settlement funds, where required
- Genuine intention to settle permanently in the Northwest Territories
Skilled Worker Category (TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3)
Base / Non-EEFor NWT employers who need to hire skilled workers in occupations requiring management, professional, technical, trades, or specialized skills. Applies to NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations.
- Full-time, permanent job offer from an NWT employer
- Position in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
- Employer must apply on the worker's behalf
- Employer must show the position cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Applicant must have the skills, education, and work experience required for the job
- Minimum CLB 6 for Skilled Worker TEER 0 and 1 positions
- Minimum CLB 5 for Skilled Worker TEER 2 and 3 positions
- Ability and intention to economically establish and settle in the NWT
NWT Express Entry
Express Entry-alignedFor candidates already in IRCC's federal Express Entry pool who also have a qualifying NWT employer. Employer-supported - a candidate cannot rely on Express Entry alone; the NWT job offer and employer support remain central. Only candidates accepted into IRCC's Express Entry pool and issued an Express Entry profile number are eligible to be nominated. If nominated, the applicant receives 600 additional CRS points.
- Valid federal Express Entry profile
- Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code
- Full-time, permanent job offer from an NWT employer
- Employer must apply on the worker's behalf
- Applicant must meet Skilled Worker eligibility criteria
- Applicant must maintain valid status in the Express Entry pool
- Applicant must express interest in permanently settling in the NWT
- Minimum CLB 7 for NWT Express Entry TEER 0 and 1 positions
- Minimum CLB 5 for NWT Express Entry TEER 2 and 3 positions
Francophone Stream
Base / Non-EEFor qualified foreign nationals who speak both French and English and have a valid job offer from an NWT employer. Helps fill labour shortages while diversifying and expanding the NWT labour force with qualified bilingual workers. Should be positioned as a distinct advantage for bilingual candidates who can support the territory's workforce and Francophone community development.
- Valid job offer from an NWT employer
- Ability to speak both French and English
- Employer support
- Required education, experience, and skills for the job
- Genuine intention to settle in the NWT
- Ability to integrate into the local labour market and community
Common eligibility themes — Northwest Territories PNP
NTNP applications must be credible, employer-supported, and aligned with NWT labour-market needs. Refugee claimants are not eligible for the NTNP.
Employer requirements under NTNP: registered business, local government, municipal government, Indigenous government, or territorial government; office or establishment in the Northwest Territories; operational year-round; place of business in the NWT where the nominee will work; registered and operating in the NWT for at least one year before application; good standing with the NWT Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission; compliance with employment standards; genuine need for the position; job offer and duties must match the selected NOC / TEER; wage must meet or exceed the applicable median wage. The employer must pay a wage comparable to industry standard and meet or exceed the median wage listed on Job Bank for the NWT; if no NWT wage is available, Yukon, Alberta, or Canada wage data may be used in that order.
Major Northwest Territories communities: Main Employment Centre (Yellowknife); Other NWT Communities (Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Providence, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Délı̨nę, Aklavik). Location matters in the Northwest Territories - the job offer, housing, transportation, community settlement plan, employer stability, wage level, and long-term retention story should all be realistic.
- Valid full-time, permanent NWT job offer
- Correct category based on TEER level
- Employer eligibility and business credibility
- Accurate NOC / TEER classification
- Wage at or above the required industry / Job Bank median wage
- Work experience, education, and licensing matching the job
- Language results at the required CLB level
- Valid status in Canada, where applicable
- Genuine intention to settle permanently in the NWT
- Settlement funds, where required
- Strong EOI score under the Employer-Driven Stream
- Evidence that the applicant is likely to remain in the NWT
Our Northwest Territories PNP Process
Profile Review
We assess your education, work experience, language scores, job offer, status, Express Entry profile, and NWT settlement goals.
Stream Selection
We identify the correct NTNP category based on TEER level, employer support, Express Entry eligibility, French ability, and NWT priorities.
Employer Review
We review the employer's registration, wage, job offer, duties, work location, and program readiness.
EOI / Application Support
We guide the employer and applicant through the 25 March / 25 June / 25 September 2026 EOI draws and help organize supporting evidence.
NTNP Nomination
If selected and approved, we assist with next steps after territorial nomination and any required work permit support.
Federal PR
We guide the applicant through the federal permanent residence application with IRCC.
Indicative timelines
Processing times, draw dates, nomination allocation, and selection scores can change. Applicants and employers should always check current NTNP and IRCC information before relying on a timeline.
Northwest Territories PNP — Frequently asked questions
Is the Northwest Territories PNP open?
Do I need a job offer for Northwest Territories PNP?
Can Northwest Territories PNP be linked to Express Entry?
What is the difference between Skilled Worker and Entry Level / Semi-Skilled?
What language score is required for NTNP?
Is there a Francophone pathway in the Northwest Territories?
Does an NTNP nomination guarantee permanent residence?
Fees
NTNP program fees, IRCC permanent residence fees, biometrics, medical exams, police certificates, translations, ECAs, language tests, and professional fees should be checked before applying. Halani Immigration Services Inc.'s professional fee depends on the stream, complexity, employer involvement, Express Entry linkage, Francophone strategy, document volume, EOI support, work permit support, and federal PR representation.
Related services
Free assessment for Northwest Territories PNP
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) — provincial-fit analysis, EOI optimization, and end-to-end NTNP application support.