The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has invited 105 foreign workers to apply for territorial nomination, bringing more candidates closer to Canadian permanent residence.
The invitations were issued on September 25, 2026, through the Employer-Driven Stream. Successful nominees can subsequently apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
Candidates who receive a nomination may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after submitting their permanent residence application.
Since June 9, 2026, a temporary federal measure has allowed eligible provincial and territorial nominees applying from within Canada through a base nomination program to apply for a BOWP without first receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt.
Latest Draw Details
The latest selection considered candidates with profile scores ranging from 317 to 492 across three pathways under the Employer-Driven Stream.
The invitations were distributed as follows:
| Pathway | Invitations Issued |
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 58 |
| NWT Express Entry | 26 |
| Skilled Workers | 21 |
Of the invitations issued, 96 went to workers in Yellowknife, while eight were issued to candidates working outside the territorial capital.
The NTNP considered 197 profiles during the selection. This was the final scheduled draw for 2026.
Across the year, the territory invited 353 candidates through the Employer-Driven Stream. The following table outlines the invitations issued in each draw.
| Date Of Draw | Invitations Issued | Invitations Issued By Pathway | Profiles Considered |
| September 25 | 105 |
| 197 |
| August 26 | 104 |
| 260 |
| June 25 | 79 |
| 300 |
| March 25 | 65 |
| 295 |
How Does The Employer-Driven Stream Work?
The NTNP has announced that its next Employer-Driven Stream draw is expected in early 2027. The exact date is expected to be confirmed in late 2026.
In February 2026, the territory replaced its first-come, first-served intake system with an Expression of Interest (EOI) system because of high demand.
Candidates must now submit an EOI profile, which is scored out of a maximum of 845 points across three categories:
- Skills And Experience (375 Points): Includes age, language ability, work experience and education.
- Connections To The Northwest Territories (340 Points): Covers employment status, eligible trades job offers and previous work experience in the territory.
- Likelihood Of Settling In The Territory (130 Points): Considers factors such as family connections and previous post-secondary education in the Northwest Territories.
EOI profiles remain active in the candidate pool for 12 months before expiring.
Employer And Candidate Requirements
The Employer-Driven Stream requires participation from both the candidate and an employer located in the Northwest Territories.
The process involves the following steps:
- The candidate obtains an eligible job offer from an employer in the territory.
- Both parties confirm that they meet the stream’s eligibility requirements.
- The employer creates an account for the candidate through the NTNP portal.
- The candidate uses the provided account details to complete and submit an EOI profile.
The territorial government evaluates and scores active profiles before holding selection rounds. Candidates who receive invitations can proceed to the nomination application stage, with their employer submitting the application on their behalf.
The NTNP reviews complete applications and issues territorial nominations to successful candidates.
The program also accepts applications through its Francophone and Business streams, which do not use the Employer-Driven Stream’s EOI selection process.
Northwest Territories Receives Additional Nomination Spaces
In August 2026, the federal government increased the territory’s nomination allocation, allowing the NTNP to nominate up to 300 successful applicants during the year.
Before the increase, the territory had an annual allocation of 197 nominations.
The additional spaces expanded the number of candidates the Northwest Territories could nominate in 2026, including eligible workers selected through the Employer-Driven Stream.
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