Northwest Territories To Offer Extra Nominations For Permanent Residence

The Northwest Territories will offer more chances for permanent residence this year. The territory received 47 additional spaces under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This increase raises the 2025 total to 197, up from the earlier limit of 150. The announcement came on September 2.

Who Will Benefit
The new spaces will support applicants from the 2025 intake who missed out earlier. Officials will review applications based on the expiry date of each candidate’s work permit. Eligible individuals will receive an email notice and move into the NTNP assessment queue.

“These additional 47 spaces will help fill critical labour shortages in key sectors,” said Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

How the Program Works
The NTNP has three main streams. These are the Employer-Driven stream, the Francophone stream, and the Business stream. Each stream has its own requirements, and applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify.

The Employer-Driven stream includes three categories: Entry Level and Semi-Skilled, Skilled Worker, and NWT Express Entry. For this stream, an employer in the Northwest Territories must apply on behalf of the candidate. Foreign nationals cannot apply on their own.

The Francophone stream and the Business stream work differently. Candidates may apply independently. The Francophone stream requires a job offer from an employer in the territory. The Business stream is for those who wish to open, purchase, or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories.

Application Periods in 2025
The territory held two intake periods for applications this year. The first took place from February 27 to March 6. The second ran from July 2 to July 9. Candidates who submitted during these periods now have another chance at selection due to the new allocation.

Background on Allocation Cuts
Like other regions in Canada, the Northwest Territories faced a sharp cut in its allocation for 2025. The number of available nominations dropped from 300 in 2024 to 150 this year. That change left many applicants uncertain about their future. The latest increase to 197 spaces gives more opportunities to skilled workers and their families.

Several other provinces and territories also secured increases this year. Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon successfully negotiated more spaces with the federal government. The Northwest Territories has now joined them in offering a greater number of nominations than first planned.

Why It Matters
The Northwest Territories continues to face labour shortages in health care, trades, and other key areas. By expanding its immigration program, the territory aims to bring in skilled workers who can help fill these gaps. These added spaces will also give more security to applicants already working in the region with temporary permits.