Your PR Pathway Through Canada's North

What Is the Northwest Territories PNP?

Quick answer: The Northwest Territories PNP, or Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), is the NWT’s Provincial Nominee Program. It nominates foreign workers with an NWT job offer, French-speaking workers and entrepreneurs for Canadian permanent residence. It has three streams: Employer-Driven, Francophone and Business. Since March 2026, the Employer-Driven stream uses an EOI points system with scheduled draws. The NWT has 300 nominations for 2026. Nominees through Express Entry receive an extra 600 CRS points.

The NWT is one of Canada’s three territories, alongside Yukon and Nunavut. Our Migrate to Canada guide compares all PR routes.

Northwest Territories PNP Streams

Northwest Territories PNP Eligibility

Entry Level/Semi-Skilled (CLB 4)

This pathway is for TEER 4 and 5 jobs, such as food service, retail, hospitality and care roles. You need:

• a full-time, permanent NWT job offer;
• at least 6 months of work in that position in the NWT; and
• CLB 4 language ability.

It was the largest pathway in the September 2026 draw.

Skilled Worker

This pathway is for TEER 0–3 jobs, such as management, professional, technical and trade roles. You need:

• a full-time, permanent NWT job offer;
• at least 6 months working in that position in the NWT; and
• CLB 4 in English or French.

You do not need an Express Entry profile.

NWT Express Entry

This pathway is for candidates who:

• have an active federal Express Entry profile;
• hold a TEER 0–3 job offer from an NWT employer; and
• usually have higher language scores (around CLB 7).

A nomination adds 600 CRS points. Check your score with our Canada PR points calculator.

Francophone stream

For French-speaking workers with a valid NWT job offer at any TEER level. You must submit French and English test results that meet the minimum levels. It is not part of the EOI system.

Business stream

Requirements include:

• minimum equity of CAD 200,000 in Yellowknife or CAD 100,000 elsewhere;
• personal net worth of CAD 500,000 or CAD 250,000; and
• CLB 4.

The process includes an exploratory visit, an interview and a two-year Business Performance Agreement.

Employer requirements

Your NWT employer must be an established business or government office, in good standing with the WSCC, and compliant with employment standards. It must also show that no Canadian or permanent resident was available, using job ads or an LMIA. Applications are assessed in order of work permit expiry.

Northwest Territories PNP Points Calculator: The 845-Point EOI Grid

Bonus points are available for job offers outside Yellowknife, for targeted skilled trades such as carpentry, plumbing and heavy-duty mechanics, and for holding a valid work permit. EOI profiles are valid for 12 months.

Northwest Territories PNP Draws 2026

The September draw was the last scheduled draw of 2026, and the next Employer-Driven draw is expected in early 2027. Invitations are not nominations: the employer must still submit a complete, approvable application.

Yellowknife PR Pathway and Living in the Northwest Territories

Most NWT nominees work in Yellowknife, the territorial capital. In the September 2026 draw, 96 of 105 invitations went to Yellowknife workers. Jobs outside Yellowknife earn extra EOI points. The NWT offers high wages, strong demand in trades, healthcare and services, and a close-knit northern lifestyle. Winters are long and cold, so it is worth researching life in the NWT before committing.

Canada PNP Tracker: Compare Provincial Nominee Programs

Each province and territory runs its own PNP with different rules, draws and priorities. Use our guides to compare:

Does an NWT Nomination Guarantee PR?

No. A nomination lets you apply for PR, but IRCC still checks your medical, security and criminal admissibility and your documents. If you have a past conviction, read our guide to criminal inadmissibility and TRPs in Canada. Once you become a PR, you can later apply for Canadian citizenship.

How GIEC Global’s Canada Immigration Consultants Help

The NWT’s EOI system rewards well-prepared profiles and organised employers. GIEC Global’s Canada immigration consultants, supporting clients from the UK, India and worldwide, help you:

• check your Northwest Territories PNP eligibility and the right pathway;
• estimate your EOI score on the 845-point grid;
• guide your employer through portal registration and documents;
• prepare a complete nomination application; and
• plan your IRCC PR application after nomination.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global Canada immigration team. Information reflects the NTNP EOI model introduced in 2026, the 2026 allocation of 300 nominations and the Employer-Driven draws held between March and September 2026. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Always confirm current requirements on immigratenwt.ca and canada.ca before applying.