The Northwest Territories has invited 105 foreign workers to seek territorial nomination for permanent residence through its Employer-Driven Stream. The latest draw highlights how the territory is selecting candidates through an Expression of Interest system, what score ranges were considered, how invitations were divided by pathway, and what workers and employers should know before the next round in 2027.
Northwest Territories issues 105 invitations for permanent residence pathway
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) held a new immigration draw on September 25 and invited 105 foreign workers to apply for territorial nomination. For many workers already living and working in the territory, this is an important step toward Canadian permanent residence.
A territorial nomination does not grant permanent residence by itself. Instead, it allows the selected applicant to move forward with a permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In other words, the territory chooses candidates it believes can help meet local labour needs, and the federal government makes the final decision on permanent residence.
This latest round was conducted under the NTNP’s Employer-Driven Stream. Candidates selected in the draw had scores ranging from 317 to 492. The invitations were spread across three pathways, showing that the territory continues to rely on workers at different skill levels, from entry-level roles to more experienced occupations.
| Pathway | Invitations issued |
|---|---|
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 58 |
| NWT Express Entry | 26 |
| Skilled Workers | 21 |
Most of the invitations went to workers in Yellowknife. According to the territory, 96 invitations were issued to candidates working in Yellowknife, while eight went to workers outside the city. The NTNP reviewed 197 active profiles for this round, which was identified as the final scheduled draw of 2026.
For people comparing regional immigration opportunities, this draw is another reminder that Provincial Nominee Program pathways can be just as important as federal options such as Express Entry.
What the 2026 NTNP draw history shows
Over the course of 2026, the Northwest Territories has invited 353 candidates through the Employer-Driven Stream. That total reflects four draws held this year, with invitation numbers staying fairly strong from spring through early fall.
| Date of draw | Total invitations | Profiles considered |
|---|---|---|
| September 25 | 105 | 197 |
| August 26 | 104 | 260 |
| June 25 | 79 | 300 |
| March 25 | 65 | 295 |
Why this matters for applicants
The pattern is useful for foreign workers and employers planning ahead. Even though the number of profiles considered was higher in some earlier draws, the September round issued the largest number of invitations. That suggests the territory is continuing to refine how it selects candidates under its points-based system.
It also shows that the Northwest Territories remains active despite having a smaller immigration allocation than larger provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia. For applicants who may not have a high enough score for federal draws, regional streams can create a more realistic path to immigration to Canada.
Workers already in Canada may also benefit from connecting their long-term plans to the right immigration strategy. Depending on their profile, this could involve an employer-supported nomination, a federal economic programme such as the Canadian Experience Class, or another route under the broader Canadian immigration pathways available across the country.
How the Employer-Driven Stream now works
Earlier in 2026, the Northwest Territories changed how it accepts candidates for its Employer-Driven Stream. Instead of using a first-come, first-served intake process, the territory moved to an Expression of Interest system. This change was made because demand had become too high for the previous model.
Points are now used to rank candidates
Under the current system, candidates submit an Expression of Interest and receive points out of a maximum of 845. The score is based on three broad areas:
- skills and work background;
- connections to the Northwest Territories; and
- likelihood of settling successfully in the territory.
Skills and experience can include age, education, language ability, and work history. Language results may come from accepted tests such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF and TCF for French, depending on the stream and the applicant’s profile. In some cases, education completed outside Canada may also require an Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA, especially where a federal immigration stage is involved.
Connections to the territory can raise a candidate’s score in a meaningful way. Examples include current employment in the Northwest Territories, an eligible job offer, a trades position, or previous work in the region. Settlement factors may include family ties or earlier post-secondary study in the territory.
The employer plays a central role
Because this is an employer-driven programme, the process depends on both the worker and the employer. It is not a stream where a person simply creates a profile on their own and waits for selection.
- The foreign worker first secures an eligible job offer from an employer in the Northwest Territories.
- The worker and employer confirm that they meet the stream’s requirements.
- The employer opens an account for the candidate in the NTNP portal.
- The candidate then completes and submits the Expression of Interest using the portal access provided.
Once submitted, the profile stays active for up to 12 months. During that time, the government of the Northwest Territories may review and rank it against other active candidates. If the profile is selected in a draw, the employer can then move ahead with the nomination application on the worker’s behalf.
This kind of process can feel complex, especially for employers who are unfamiliar with immigration paperwork. That is one reason many applicants choose to determine their eligibility early and get professional guidance before submitting a profile.
What happens after nomination and what to expect next
If a candidate receives a nomination from the Northwest Territories, the next step is to apply to IRCC for permanent residence. The exact process can differ depending on whether the nomination is linked to Express Entry or is a base nomination outside the federal Express Entry system.
Work permit support while waiting
For many nominees already working in Canada, a major concern is maintaining legal status while the permanent residence file is in process. In some situations, nominees may qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit. A recent temporary federal measure has made this easier for certain base provincial or territorial nominees applying from inside Canada, because they may no longer need to wait for an Acknowledgement of Receipt before requesting the work permit.
This is especially important for workers in smaller jurisdictions such as the Northwest Territories, where employers may depend on staff staying in place while permanent residence is being processed. People who want to understand their work options can review Canadian work permit options and related pathways while planning the transition to permanent residence.
Next draw expected in 2027
The territory has said the next draw under the Employer-Driven Stream is expected in early 2027, with the exact date to be confirmed later in 2026. That gives prospective applicants time to prepare stronger profiles, improve language results, confirm employer eligibility, and organize supporting documents.
For candidates in the Express Entry-linked pathway, improving a federal score may still matter. Those exploring both territorial and federal options may benefit from learning how the Comprehensive Ranking System works and how to improve a CRS score. Others may wish to review the dedicated Northwest Territories nominee programme page to compare stream requirements in more detail.
The federal government also increased the NTNP’s nomination allocation in August, allowing the territory to nominate up to 300 successful applicants in 2026, up from its earlier limit of 197. That increase gave the territory more room to respond to labour shortages and support local employers.
Immigration rules and programme requirements can change quickly, so readers should always confirm current details with IRCC or seek advice from a licensed immigration professional before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, compassionate support at every stage of your journey toward a new life in Canada, whether you want to explore your Canadian immigration options or book your free immigration assessment.
