Northwest Territories.
NTNP, decoded.
The Northwest Territories runs one of Canada's smallest nominee programs, and in 2026 it reinvented itself. A new expression-of-interest system replaced the old first-come application rush on March 9, with scheduled draws (March 25, June 25, an added August 26 round and September 25) of roughly 65 to 80 invitations each. The rounds so far tell the story: 65 invited from 295 profiles in March and 79 from 300 in June, scores ranging 417 to 597 — and the grid is built so that NWT work history and residency dominate. A candidate with no northern connection scores poorly however strong their language or education.
Allocation whiplash is the program's other defining feature. The federal cut halved it to 150 in 2025, forcing a delayed opening and an early close; 2026 began at 197 and was raised to 300 in August, restoring earlier levels. Employer involvement is mandatory for the worker streams — the employer registers and puts the candidate forward before any EOI exists. The Francophone and Business streams stay first-come, first-served.
How the NTNP works.
Northwest Territories Nominee Program, run by Government of the Northwest Territories with IRCC. You qualify under a stream, get selected or nominated, then IRCC decides your PR. Official site →
Employer-driven / new EOI
The new NTNP grid makes territorial connection decisive: 340 of the available points are NWT labour-market connection and another 130 NWT adaptability — language and education combined cannot outweigh them.
Allocation & fees
New EOI since Mar 2026; first draw invited 65 of 295 at scores 417–597. Remaining draws Aug 26 and Sep 25. Figures change — verify on the official site. Data checked 2026-08-23.
Live tracker
Northwest Territories in 2026, by the numbers.
Smallest allocation in Canada. New for 2026: the Employer-Driven Stream now runs a ranked Expression of Interest system with scheduled draws.
| Date | Round | Invited |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 2026 | —Employer-Driven Stream EOI draw — 300 profiles submitted | 79 |
| Mar 25, 2026 | 417 Lowest EOI score invited (range 417-597)First Employer-Driven Stream EOI draw - 295 profiles submitted; 32 NWT Express Entry, 20 Skilled Worker, 13 Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 65 |
IRCC allocated the Northwest Territories 197 nominations for 2026, raised to 300 in August, and the territory rebuilt its selection process around them. The Employer-Driven and Francophone streams opened on March 9, 2026 and the Employer-Driven Stream now uses an Expression of Interest system: the employer registers and submits an EOI on behalf of the worker, the worker completes a profile survey, and the GNWT scores it on work experience against NWT labour market needs, education, language and connection to the territory. Only employers of the highest-ranked profiles are invited to apply, and applications are then assessed in order of work permit expiry date. The first draw on March 25, 2026 drew 295 profiles and invited the top 65 - 32 in the NWT Express Entry category, 20 Skilled Worker and 13 Entry Level / Semi-Skilled - with scores ranging from 417 to 597. A second round on June 25 invited 79 from 300 profiles. Because invitations are now rationed by draw, the program stays open year round rather than closing when the intake fills.
Where people settle in Northwest Territories
NWT connection - working, studying or living in the territory - carries most of the points in the Employer-Driven scoring grid.
Yellowknife
The capital and largest community: public administration, diamond mining services, aviation and health care.
Hay River
Transport and fishing hub on Great Slave Lake.
Inuvik
Beaufort Delta service centre for government, health and research.
Living in Northwest Territories is what the NTNP is for: a nomination ties you to this province, and you are expected to settle here. Talk to a licensed RCIC before you commit to a destination.
NTNP streams, criteria and process.
Choose the stream that fits your profile. Criteria and open or closed status change often — we confirm what is live before you file.
Employer-Driven — Skilled Worker
TEER 0–3 workers with NWT job offers, invited through the new EOI draws (20 of the 65 March invitations).
Employer-Driven — Entry Level/Semi-Skilled
The TEER 4–5 route northern service employers rely on (13 March invitations).
Employer-Driven — NWT Express Entry
Enhanced stream for federal-pool candidates with NWT offers — the largest share of the first draw at 32.
Francophone Stream
First-come, first-served for French-speaking candidates — outside the EOI entirely.
Business Stream
First-come entrepreneur route with dual thresholds: $200K investment and $500K net worth in Yellowknife, half that outside — an explicit remoteness discount.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
The refugee-skilled-worker route, also operated by the territory.
Where N.W.T. selection actually turns — the factors that decide whether a profile is invited.
Canada's tightest allocation
300 nominations for the whole territory in 2026 (raised from 197 in August), rationed in draws of about 65.
Connection is everything
340 points for NWT labour-market connection, 130 for NWT adaptability. The March cut-off band of 417–597 is unreachable without northern history.
A program with no track record
The EOI model held its first draw on March 25, 2026 — score data barely exists, and 2025 proved intake can close early when the cap hits.
Yellowknife vs everywhere else
The Business Stream halves its investment and net-worth thresholds outside Yellowknife — a structural nudge toward the smaller communities.
Four stages from first interest to a permanent-residence decision.
Secure a N.W.T. job offer
A Northwest Territories employer offers you a role they cannot fill locally and supports your nomination.
Get selected / invited
Northwest Territories invites or approves candidates who meet its priorities, then issues a nomination.
Provincial nomination
Add 600 CRS in Express Entry (enhanced) or apply on paper (base), depending on your stream.
Apply to IRCC for PR
Submit your permanent-residence application; IRCC makes the final decision.
A NTNP nomination = +600 CRS
Through the Express Entry sub-stream, an enhanced nomination adds 600 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System score — in practice, a guaranteed invitation to apply in the next Express Entry round.
NTNP FAQ.
Can I enter the NWT pool without an employer?
What score do I need in an NTNP draw?
How many draws are left in 2026?
What does the NTNP cost?
Does a NTNP nomination guarantee permanent residence?
How does the NTNP connect to Express Entry?
What is the NTNP scoring system?
Can CHK Immigration help if I'm not in Ontario?
NTNP eligibility review
Would Northwest Territories actually invite you?
Send a few details and a licensed RCIC will tell you where you would rank under Employer-driven / new EOI, which NTNP stream fits, and whether another province is a faster route.
- Scored against the live NTNP cut-offs, not last year’s
- A written shortlist of the streams you realistically qualify for
- Reviewed by a CICC-licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant; fees and thresholds verified September 2026
- Consultations are fee-based; you get the fee and available times by reply
CHK Immigration Services — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (CICC). Offices in Brampton and London, Ontario. Submitting this form does not create a client–consultant relationship; IRCC makes all final decisions.
consultant
Brampton & London
nomination
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