The Northwest Territories may nominate prospective immigrants for Canadian permanent residency via the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP).

The NTNP is delivered in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The Nominee Program is designed to help employers in the Northwest Territories secure the workforce they need for their businesses. If an employer cannot find a candidate locally or nationally for a position, the next option is to find foreign nationals with the skills and experience for the job. If you are already working in the Northwest Territories, ask your employer about the Nominee Program and the different opportunities to help you become a permanent resident.

The program has three categories:

  1. NWT Express Entry
  2. Skilled Workers
  3. Entry-level / semi-skilled

1. NWT Express Entry stream

This stream allows the Northwest Territories to use the federal Express Entry immigration selection system to help address labour market shortages through the recruitment of foreign nationals.

Successful applicants will receive Canadian permanent resident status. Northwest Territories Express Entry aligns with the federal government’s Express Entry system, and this stream is available to only candidates that have created a profile in the federal Express Entry system. This is discussed further later on this page.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program

To be eligible for NWT Express Entry, a foreign national must meet the following criteria:

  • Be accepted into Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry Pool;
  • Have a profile registered in the Express Entry system;
  • Have a Job Seeker Validation Code; and
  • Meet the criteria of the Skilled Worker stream.
  • Have legal status to work and hold a valid work permit, if currently residing in Canada;
  • Intend to settle permanently in the Northwest Territories;
  • Work in a NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B occupation;
  • Have the required certification or accreditation for the occupation based on the employer’s requirements;
  • Have the formal education and/or specialized training required for the specific position;
  • Have the work experience required by the employer as outlined in the job description and/or job advertisement; and
  • Meet NWT certification, licensing, or registration requirements of the job, if applicable;
  • Be able to sufficiently communicate in English and/or French;
  • Submit the following documentation in original, or certified true copies (must be a clear, readable copy), translated into English or French:
    • Passport;
    • Birth certificate;
    • Marriage certificate; and
    • Birth certificate(s) and passport(s) for dependent(s).
  • Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to establish themselves and any dependents in the Northwest Territories — the minimum requirement is $10,000 for the principal applicant and an additional $2,000 for each accompanying dependent;
    • Applicants must submit certified bank statements in their name or an official letter issued by a bank, translated into English or French and notarized, as proof of settlement funds; and,
  • Provide results from one of the following three approved language tests taken within two years of submitting an application:
    • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training;
    • The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General); or
    • The Test d’Évaluation de Français (to test proficiency in French).

For further information about mandatory eligibility criteria, you can refer to the program guidelines.

2. Northwest Territories Nominee Program Skilled Worker stream

The NTNP Skilled Worker category helps employers attract qualified individuals if there are shortages of workers for jobs in the NWT that require formal education, specialized training, or both.

To be eligible, foreign nationals must be able to demonstrate they have the training, experience and education to fulfill the needs of the job description. The skilled worker must have one year of full-time experience in the relevant occupation.

This NTNP stream targets qualified foreign nationals who can successfully assist with skilled worker shortages in the Northwest Territories. Applications are accepted under this stream from candidates who have received an offer of employment in a skilled position (National Occupational Classification Skill Levels 0, A, or B) from an NWT employer. This category is an employer-driven process, meaning that NWT employers must sponsor eligible applicants for permanent residency.

There is a minimum language requirement to ensure the foreign national is able to communicate in English or French. This requirement must be met at the time the application is made and proof of testing must be provided.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

To be considered eligible under the Employer Driven Program, foreign nationals must:

  • Have legal status to work and hold a valid work permit, if currently residing in Canada;
  • Intend to settle permanently in the Northwest Territories;
  • Have the required certification or accreditation for the occupation based on the employer’s requirements;
  • Meet NWT certification, licensing, or registration requirements of the job, if applicable;
  • Submit the following documentation in original, or certified true copies (must be a clear, readable copy), translated into English or French:
    • Passport;
    • Birth certificate;
    • Marriage certificate; and
    • Birth certificate(s) and passport(s) for dependent(s).
  • Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to establish themselves and any dependents in the Northwest Territories — the minimum requirement is $10,000 for the principal applicant and an additional $2,000 for each accompanying dependent;
    • Applicants must submit certified bank statements in their name or an official letter issued by a bank, translated into English or French and notarized, as proof of settlement funds; and,
  • Provide results from one of the following three approved language tests taken within two years of submitting an application:
    • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training;
    • The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General); or
    • The Test d’Évaluation de Français (to test proficiency in French).

For further information about mandatory eligibility criteria, refer to the program guidelines.

3. Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations

The Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations helps employers fill shortages for entry-level jobs when they cannot find a Canadian candidate locally or nationally for a position.

To be eligible, foreign nationals must have worked full-time in the same position with the employer for six months and be in good standing with the requirements of their temporary foreign work permit.

There is a minimum language requirement that ensures the foreign national is able to communicate in English or French. This requirement must be met at the time the application is made, and proof of testing must be provided.

For further information about mandatory eligibility criteria, refer to the program guidelines.

Optimize your chances of success!

What are your options for Canadian Immigration? You can consider any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:

Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!

For effective and diligent legal help regarding Canadian Immigration matters, we partner with Weekes Law Office.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Are you looking for an immigration pathway to Canada? If you do not know where to look and how to start, we invite you to book an eligibility consultation with us. We will prepare an individualized assessment report for you and guide you on your immigration journey to Canada.

We advise you to complete the assessment questionnaire now in order to properly plan your application.