1. Express Entry; Skilled Workers Class

This is a Canadian Immigration option for foreigners who have a job offer in the Northwest Territories in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, B). There is no requirement for candidates to have prior work experience with the employer submitting the application. Also, skilled workers are not eligible for express entry if they are living abroad or are in Canada with no valid work permit.

Eligibility Requirements for candidates:

• Must submit all personal documents and dependents documents (if applicable)
• All documents must be valid throughout the process.
• Must satisfy and convince the officers that the candidate intends to settle permanently in the Northwest Territories.
• Must have the required education and work experience to perform the job stated in the application.
• If the candidate graduated outside Canada, the candidate must obtain an educational credential assessment for their education.
• Candidate must provide English/French language tests.
• For NOC (0, A) must obtain minimum CLB level 7.
• For NOC (B) must obtain minimum CLB level 5.
• Test results must be valid throughout the entire application process.
• If Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not supplied by the employer, the candidate must apply to the job as advertised by the employer making sure that they meet all the educational and employment requirements.
• This job offer also serves as proof of settlements income. The salary must be sufficient so the candidate can settle in the Northwest Territories.

Additional Requirements:

• This stream is restricted to foreign nationals who are in the IRCC Express Entry pool.
• Candidates must maintain a valid status in Canada while in the Express Entry pool.

Successful candidates through the Northwest Territories Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream receive a provincial nomination granting the candidate 600 points through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), guaranteeing the candidate an invitation to apply (ITA) in a future Express Entry draw.

Eligibility Requirements for Employer-Driven stream:

• Must have a registered business, industry association, or local/municipal/First Nations/territorial government, located in the Northwest Territories.
• Must be registered and operating full-time or at least for one year before applying.
• Must provide documents proving that the business is good standing with the Northwest Territories Workers Safety and Compensation Commission.
• Must submit a description of the operation with the application.
• Must offer the foreign national a permanent, full-time position (must provide a detailed job description with the application)
• Must submit either a positive LMIA, or a proof of local, national advertising.

Employers can apply to any stream at any time with no regular intake periods or caps on the number of applicants. In order to apply, employers must fill and submit an application package to the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This package can be submitted physically or online.

The assessment can take up to 10 weeks from the date the NTNP received a complete application package. This assessment period can change depending on the volume of the applications received. After approval, nominees can apply to the Canadian government to obtain a permanent residence status.

2. Entry Level/Semi-Skilled

This stream is dedicated for employers to fill labour shortages when they are unable to find Canadians that are suitable for the positions. Nominated foreign nationals must be working in a job classified at NOC (C, D) and require minimum or no training at all in order to be eligible.

If a candidate obtains a job offer from an employer in the Northwest Territories, the candidate must work for at least six months before they can apply through this stream. A positive LMIA is not required. However, the employer must show that they have tried to recruit locally before employing a foreign national.

Eligibility Requirement for Foreign Nationals:

• Must submit all personal documents and dependents documents (if applicable)
• All documents must be valid throughout the process.
• Must satisfy and convince the officers that the candidate intends to settle permanently in the Northwest Territories.
• Must have the required education and work experience to perform the job stated in the application.
• The candidate must prove that they have worked for the employer for at least six months prior to applying.
• If the candidate graduated outside Canada, the candidate must obtain an educational credential assessment for their education.
• Candidate must provide English/French language tests.
• Must obtain minimum CLB level 4.
• Test results must be valid throughout the entire application process.
• Must provide documents demonstrating sufficient funds through bank statements.
• Must show at least $10,000 CAD for principal applicant.
• Must show additional $2000 CAD for every dependant.
• If Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not supplied by the employer, the candidate must apply to the job as advertised by the employer making sure that they meet all the educational and employment requirements.

Eligibility Requirement for Employers:

• Must have a registered business, industry association, or local/municipal/First Nations/territorial government, located in the Northwest Territories.
• Must be registered and operating full-time or at least for one year before applying.
• Must provide documents proving that the business is good standing with the Northwest Territories Workers Safety and Compensation Commission.
• Must submit a description of the operation with the application.
• Must offer the foreign national a permanent, full-time position (must provide a detailed job description with the application)
• Must submit either a positive LMIA, or a proof of local, national advertising.

3. Business Stream

The Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program welcomes new business and new ideas that will bring economic prosperity and job opportunity to the area. Successful applicants will get the support they need to apply to the Canadian government to obtain a two-year work permit so they can start running their business in the territory. Candidates must run the business for a minimum of 19 months so obtain a nomination and apply for a permanent resident status.

Eligibility Requirements

• Invest $300,00 CAD in a business inside Yellowknife, or $150,000 CAD outside Yellowknife.
• Must have a net worth of a minimum of $500,000 CAD if investing inside Yellowknife, or a minimum of $250,000 CAD if investing outside Yellowknife.
• If the investment is over $1M CAD, candidate must demonstrate ownership of at least one-third (33.3%) of the proposed business.
• Candidate must provide English/French language tests.
• Must obtain minimum CLB level 4.
• Test results must not be older than six months at the time of application.
• Candidate must deposit an amount of $75,000 CAD to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. This amount is released after satisfactory execution of the Business Performance Agreement.
• Candidate must Demonstrate reasonable knowledge and understanding of the Northwest Territories and its economy.
• Must have the required education and work experience to execute the business plan.
• Must have sufficient financial resources to start and operate the business while supporting themselves and their dependants (if applicable).
• Must not have any other active applications with any other provinces or territorial nominee program, or with any other stream of the NTNP. Refugee claims are not permitted to apply.

There are some businesses that are ineligible, applicants must check the list of ineligible business before investing. If an applicant intends to buy a business, that business must be owned and operated under the same owner for the previous three years. After purchasing the business, the applicant must not reduce the wages or the number of jobs in the business.

Investing in any business before the process has started is highly discouraged. Any investments or financial commitment made before signing the Business Performance Agreement between the candidate and the NTNP will not be counted towards the investment minimum.