Northwest Territories Adds Third Nominee Intake With New Rules

The Northwest Territories has confirmed a third application window for its Nominee Program this year. The intake opens on November 10 at 9 a.m. and closes on November 24, 2025.

Through this round, the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) will handle up to 103 new eligible applications before the end of 2025. This expansion helps the territory reach its full 300-nomination target for the year.

Officials said this intake aims to speed up processing and fill the remaining nomination spots quickly.

Key Updates to the Program

The territorial government has introduced a few changes to its NTNP guidelines for the rest of 2025.

The most notable updates include:

• Work permit expiry dates no longer affect a candidate’s eligibility.
  
• Work experience requirements from 2024 are back for specific streams.
  
• Employers can now submit as many applications as they wish, regardless of business size.
  

All these updates stay in place until the end of 2025.

How Applications Will Be Handled

The NTNP plans to process up to 103 new applications this round.

Candidates with work permits expiring within three months will get first priority. After that, the application submission date will determine the order of review.

If the total applications exceed 103 or if any cannot be completed by December 23, 2025, the territory will withdraw them.

Applicants will receive an email notice telling them whether their application will move forward or be withdrawn. Those whose applications are withdrawn can reapply in 2026.

Updated Eligibility Criteria

The new eligibility guidelines will affect both candidates and employers.

For candidates:

• They can apply even if their work permit expiry date has passed, as long as other requirements are met.
  
• Those applying under the Skilled Worker Stream and NWT Express Entry Stream need at least one year of full-time work experience in the last 10 years.
  
• This experience must match or closely relate to the job they’re nominated for.
  
• Work experience from more than one employer can count toward eligibility.
  

For employers:

• The limit on how many applications an employer can submit is now removed. This gives businesses more freedom to support qualified workers.
  

Reason for the Third Intake

Earlier this year, the NTNP held two intake periods:

• First intake: February 27 to March 6, 2025
  
• Second intake: July 2 to July 9, 2025
  

On October 17, 2025, the Government of Northwest Territories announced that its 2025 nomination quota had been restored to 2024 levels, increasing from 197 to 300 spots.

This change allowed the territory to accept 103 more applications.

At that time, Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, said the territory was working to open another intake to “fill the remaining nomination spots in a timely manner.”

This third window from November 10 to November 24 fulfills that plan.