The Nominee Program in the Northwest Territories stops accepting new applications after it reaches its allocation cap for the first time. Find more about priorities, trends, and future plans.

The Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has stopped accepting new applications after reaching its annual cap of 300 nominees for the first time ever.

Positive news: increased interest in the region is bolstering the labor force and creating thriving, varied communities.

From 62 in 2021 to 139 last year and now 300 for 2024, the overall number of nominations under the employer-driven and francophone streams of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has expanded dramatically in recent years.

Out of the over 300 applications received, as of July 22, 2024, 144 nominations had been processed; the remaining applications were being reviewed as soon as feasible.

Applications beyond the 300 federally controlled nomination allotment will be held over until the next year and added to the 2025 allocation when the program reopens in January.

In addition to engaging with enterprises to develop and maintain a resilient workforce through investments in both domestic and international labor, the territorial administration intends to push for increased allocations and increase settlement services in the Northwest Territories.

Applications submitted before July 22 will not be impacted by the temporary halt in intake; decisions on those that are already pending are anticipated this autumn.

The following priorities will be followed when processing applications:

1. Applicants with soon-to-expire work permits
2. Applicants with work permits expiring in 2024
3. Applicants in the Northwest Territories with work permits expiring in 2025 or later
4. Applicants outside the Northwest Territories, including international applications

Launched in 2022, the francophone stream of the NTNP permits direct application for francophones working in the Northwest Territories or those who have legitimate job offers from firms in the territory.

Foreign nationals who wish to apply through the NTNP must:

• Have a valid, full-time permanent job offer in the Northwest Territories
• Have at least one year of full-time experience in the occupation, or six months of full-time experience in the territory
• Have required territorial certification, licensing, or accreditation for the occupation
• Meet language requirements in both English and French
• Not be a refugee claimant

It is believed that the francophone community has made significant contributions to the social, economic, and cultural advancement of the region.

As part of the business stream, candidates are required to make an investment:

• A minimum of $200,000 equity into starting or buying a business within Yellowknife’s corporate boundaries
• A minimum of $100,000 equity into starting or buying a business outside Yellowknife’s corporate boundaries

Unless their personal equity interest is at least $1 million, in which case they may possess less, applicants must additionally show that they own at least a third of the company. In addition, if the company is located in Yellowknife, they must have a personal net worth of at least $500,000; if it is not, it must be at least $250,000. Additionally, it is necessary to have language proficiency of at least CLB 4 in English or the equivalent in French. Test results must not be more than two years old at the time of application.