Last verified: August 27, 2026 · Official source: gov.nt.ca — 2026 allocation increased to 300
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
What is the NTNP?
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) lets the NWT nominate workers and entrepreneurs for Canadian permanent residence to meet the territory's labour needs. Like Yukon's program it is largely employer-driven — most pathways start with an NWT employer and a job offer, and the employer submits the application on your behalf.
An NTNP nomination through the Express Entry pathway adds +600 CRS points to your federal Express EntryExpress Entry: Canada's online system for the three federal economic PR programs (CEC, FSW, FST), ranked by CRS score. profile — effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply at the next federal draw.
2026 allocation: On August 7, 2026 the NWT's 2026 allocation was increased by 103 nominees to a total of 300. The allocation at the start of the year was 197.
→ Express Entry overview & CRS → All provincial nominees
New for 2026: Expression of Interest (EOI) model
In 2026 the NTNP introduced an EOIEOI: Expression of Interest — a pre-application profile scored and ranked in a pool. The territory invites the highest-ranked candidates in periodic draws. selection model for its Employer-Driven Stream. Instead of first-come, first-served, candidates submit an EOI, are scored and ranked, and the highest-ranked are invited in periodic draws.
Intake opened March 9, 2026 for the Employer-Driven and Francophone streams. The first-ever EOI draw (March 25, 2026) invited the top 65 candidates across the Employer-Driven pathways, with scores reported from roughly 417 to 597.
The allocation increase added one more draw to the calendar. The 2026 schedule is:
| Draw date | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | closed |
| June 25, 2026 | closed |
| August 26, 2026 (added with the increase) | August 24, 2026 |
| September 25, 2026 (final draw of the year) | September 22, 2026 |
This draw schedule applies to the Employer-Driven Stream only. The Francophone and Business streams continue to evaluate applications on a first-come, first-served basis and are unaffected.
Confirm the current schedule on the official NWT newsroom.
2026 streams
Employer-Driven Stream (EOI-based)
Three pathways, all requiring an NWT employer job offer:
- NWT Express Entry (Enhanced) — for candidates with an active Express Entry profile and an NWT job offer. Nomination adds +600 CRS points.
- Skilled Worker (Base) — a standalone pathway that leads to a direct, paper-based federal PR application (no Express Entry profile required).
- Critical Worker — for NOC TEER 4–5 roles with an NWT job offer and, typically, prior NWT work experience.
Francophone Stream
For French-speaking skilled workers with an NWT job offer, supporting francophone immigration to the territory.
Business Stream
For entrepreneurs who invest in and actively operate a business in the NWT. Separate net-worth, investment, and business-plan requirements apply.
Employer requirements
The Employer-Driven and Francophone streams require a genuine, full-time job offer from an NWT-based employer. As an employer-driven program, your employer submits the application — you cannot apply on your own behalf.
How to apply
- Secure a job offer from an NWT employer in an eligible occupation.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) under the Employer-Driven Stream (or apply under the Francophone/Business stream as applicable).
- Receive an invitation if your EOI ranks high enough in a draw.
- Apply for nomination within the deadline.
- Receive the nomination — link it to your Express Entry profile (NWT Express Entry) or submit a direct PR application to IRCC (Skilled Worker / Base streams).