Northwest Territories Nominee Program Reopens for 2025 Applications

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is reopening its application process for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in Canada. The application window will be open from 9 AM MT on February 27 to 5 PM MT on March 6. This intake will cover applications for the 2025 immigration year.

Application Process and Selection

The NTNP will accept 90 new applications while also processing 60 applications submitted in 2024, bringing the total to 150 nominations for 2025. If the number of applications exceeds this limit, a random selection process will be used. Selected applicants will receive email notifications. The program will prioritize applications based on work permit expiration dates.

Changes to Immigration Allocations

The Northwest Territories government has adjusted its application system to better support workers with expiring permits and those who have spent significant time with their employers. This change aims to help local businesses and workers who have contributed to the region’s economy.

NTNP Immigration Streams and Allocations

The NTNP has multiple streams under its Employer-Driven category. This allows employers to hire and nominate foreign workers for permanent residency. Applicants cannot apply directly; their employers must submit applications on their behalf.

The three categories under this stream are:

1. Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations – 35 spots available. Applicants must:
   • Have a work permit expiring in 2025
   • Have worked full-time in the NWT for at least 12 months
2. Skilled Worker – 35 spots available. Applicants must:
   • Have a permanent, full-time job offer
   • Have at least 12 months of experience in the nominated occupation
   • Have a work permit expiring in 2025 OR have worked full-time in the NWT for 18 months
3. NWT Express Entry – Works under the same eligibility conditions as the Skilled Worker category.

A total of 10 applications (5 from Entry Level/Semi-Skilled and 5 from Skilled Worker/Express Entry) are reserved for employers in communities outside Yellowknife.

Employer-Driven and Francophone Stream

An additional 10 applications will be reserved for Francophone candidates. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be bilingual
• Have a valid job offer from an NWT employer

Employer Application Limits

Employers will have limits on the number of applications they can submit, based on their workforce size:

• 1–10 employees: 1 application
• 11–49 employees: 2 applications
• 50+ employees: 4 applications

Why Are These Changes Happening?

The NTNP had to revise its system due to a 50% cut in its immigrant nomination quota for 2025. This is part of a broader change across Canada, as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reduced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025.

This has forced multiple provinces, including Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Yukon, to modify their application processes. The NTNP hit its maximum immigration allocation by July 2024, marking a record in its history.