Northwest Territories holds first immigration draw, sets 2026 plan

The Northwest Territories has taken a new step in its immigration program after moving to an Expression of Interest system earlier this year. Officials have now shared the results of the first draw, which took place on March 25.

The draw invited 65 candidates under the Employer-Driven Stream. At the time, 295 people had active profiles in the selection pool. Authorities selected the highest-ranking candidates based on their scores.

Breakdown of invitations

The invitations spread across three pathways within the Employer-Driven Stream. The largest share went to candidates under the NWT Express Entry pathway, which received 32 invitations. The Skilled Worker pathway followed with 20 invitations, while 13 went to the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category.

Scores in this round ranged from 417 to 597. Nearly half of the invitations went to Express Entry candidates, showing strong demand in that category.

More draws planned for 2026

Officials have confirmed two more draws for the rest of the year. Each round will invite up to 65 candidates to apply for nomination.

The next draw will take place on June 25, 2026, followed by another on September 25, 2026. Candidates must submit their Expression of Interest profiles before the deadlines to qualify. The cut-off date stands at June 22 for the June draw and September 22 for the September draw.

Authorities have noted that score requirements may change in each round, depending on the number and quality of applicants in the pool.

Shift to a new system

The territory introduced the Expression of Interest system in late February due to high demand. Earlier, the program worked on a first-come, first-served basis. The new system now ranks candidates based on a points structure.

This approach allows officials to select candidates who best match labour market needs in the region.

How the selection process works

Candidates must first secure a job offer from an employer in the Northwest Territories. Both the applicant and the employer must meet the program’s requirements.

The employer then creates an account in the online system and registers the candidate under the Employer-Driven Stream. After that, the candidate completes an Expression of Interest profile using the provided login details.

Officials assess each profile and assign scores based on several factors. These include skills, work experience, education, language ability, and age. They also consider ties to the Northwest Territories, such as current employment or past work in the region. Family connections or previous studies in the territory can also improve a candidate’s score.

What happens after selection

Candidates who receive invitations can move forward with a full nomination application, which their employer submits on their behalf.

Profiles that do not receive an invitation remain in the pool for up to 12 months. During that time, candidates may still get selected in future draws if their scores meet the cut-off.