How to Apply for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
You may have an opportunity to fast track your Canadian permanent residence by applying for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). Learn more below, and fill out our free immigration assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
Apply for the Northwest Territories Immigrant Nominee Program 2020-2021
The vast natural resources and relatively low population give the Northwest Territories the highest per capita GDP of all provinces or territories in Canada. The territory enjoys vast geological resources including diamonds, gold and natural gas, for this reason it is particularly attractive for Canadian Immigration.
What is the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program?
The Northwest Territories’ Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an immigration program operated on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to fast-track the processing of an application for permanent residency.
The Nominee Program helps strengthen the Northwest Territories economy by attracting qualified individuals to fill critical labour shortages and promote business development. The Nominee Program can assist employers in recruiting and retaining foreign workers and can help foreign workers and their families make the Northwest Territories their permanent home.
Individuals nominated by the Northwest Territories are eligible to apply for permanent residency through Citizenship and Immigration Canada as part of the Provincial Nominee stream. The processing of a nominee’s application for permanent residence through Citizenship and Immigration Canada is generally faster than other immigration classes. Citizenship and Immigration Canada makes final decisions on the applications
Successful applicants will receive a Northwest Territories Nominee Certificate, which will speed-up the Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa application processing times. Under the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you may qualify under one of three streams.
Do You Want To Work and Live in the Northwest Territories?
The Northwest Territory Provincial Nominee Program Operates Through 4 Streams:
If you are interested in settling in Northwest Territories and you meet the criteria of one of the four categories below you may be able to enter Canada in less time.
- The Skilled Worker Stream
- Critical Impact Worker Stream
- Entrepreneur Business Stream
- Express Entry Stream
1) The Skilled Worker Stream
This stream of the NTNP Employer Driven immigration program targets qualified foreign nationals who can successfully assist with skilled worker shortages in the Northwest Territories. Applications are accepted under this stream from candidates who have received an offer of employment in a skilled position (National Occupational Classification Skill Levels 0, A, or B) from an NWT employer. This category is an employer-driven process, meaning that NWT employers must sponsor eligible applicants for permanent residency.
Requirements for the Skilled Worker Category
The Employee must:
Have required certification or accreditation for the specified trade;
If applicable, meet the territorial certification, licensing or registration requirements of the job
Have a license or be accepted by the Territorial body governing the occupation or trade;
Have the required work experience for the specific occupation
Not be a refugee claimant.
The Employer must:
Have been registered and in operation for at least a year;
Show that it tried to recruit a Canadian citizen or PR for the job vacancy;
Identify a potential nominee
Be a registered business, industry association or a local, municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in the NWT that has been registered and operational for a minimum of 1 year
Provide proof of local and national recruitment efforts and submit a summary of results
Show that the compensation for the job is commensurate with local standards; and
Obtain a LMO from HRSDC.
The Job must:
Be for a permanent full time position (minimum 30 hours per week)
Be in an occupation that falls into a high skill level category
Not be in conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements
Comply with the NWT Employment Standards Act
Provide a comparable industry rate of pay
2) Critical Impact Worker Stream
This stream was created to assist Northwest Territories (NWT) employers address critical labour shortages that cannot be filled by local or Canadian residents. It is specifically designed to target workers in semi-skilled and unskilled occupations (National Occupational Classification Skill Levels C and D). In order to apply under this stream, foreign skilled workers must have worked in the same position for a minimum six months and must be in compliance with their temporary foreign worker permit.
Requirements for the Critical Impact Worker Category
An applicant must:
Have a temporary work permit and have worked in the same position for 6 months
Show sufficient financial or settlement support in the NWT
Have the required work experience for the occupation;
Have the ability to conduct basic communication in the official language of the work place; and
Not be a refugee claimant.
An employer must:
Have a job vacancy
Identify a potential nominee
Be in good standing with the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission
Provide proof of local and national recruitment efforts and submit a summary of results
Obtain a positive HRSDC Service Canada Labour Market Opinion
Be a registered business, industry association or a local , municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in the NWT that has been registered and operational for a minimum of six months
The Job must:
Be for a permanent full time position (minimum 30 hours per week)
Provide a comparable industry rate of pay
Be in an occupation that falls into NOC skill levels C or D
Be in good standing with the Worker’s Safety and Compensation Commision (WSCC) and the NWT Employment Standards Office
3) Self-employed Business Category
The NTNP accepts applications under this stream from entrepreneurs and/or owner-operators of businesses who wish to establish a business in the Northwest Territories. Businesses in all economic sectors are welcome to apply; however, businesses that will introduce a new product or a product of significant benefit to the Northwest Territories are given priority.
In order to qualify under this program, the applicant must:
Requirements for the Self-employed Business Category
Invest a minimum of $300,000 equity into starting or buying a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, or
Invest in a minimum of $150,000 equity into starting or buying a business outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT
Have a personal net worth of at least $500,000 if starting or buying a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT
Have a personal net worth of at least $250,000 if starting or buying a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT
Have an additional $75,000 kept in a trust account and released upon completion of Performance Agreement based on a business proposal
Demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the NWT and its economy
Be able to demonstrate reasonable communication skills appropriate to the NWT
Have the necessary experience and education to successfully implement the business plan
4) Express Entry Stream
The Northwest Territories’ Express Entry stream is for foreign nationals who have been accepted into the Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Express Entry Pool. Only candidates who have been accepted into the Express Entry Pool and have been issued an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code are eligible for this stream.
Candidates for this stream must meet the following requirements:
Be eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class
Must meet all the requirements for the Skilled Worker Stream under the Northwest Territories’ Nominee Program
Criteria for Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Express Entry Pool
Once the above eligibility criteria have been met, an Employer can submit an application to the Northwest Territories’ Express Entry System.
Once the above eligibility criteria have been met, an Employer can submit an application to the Northwest Territories’ Express Entry System.
Why Hire Us to Help with Your Northwest Territories PNP Application?
While the procedures for applying for an Northwest Territories PNP may seem uncomplicated, some applicants apply without seeking any help from an immigration lawyer, thinking that they can “do it themselves”.
For Northwest Territories PNPs, there is a higher risk of refusal in cases where the application is not properly prepared. The standards are very high.
The documentation and processes involved in successfully obtaining a PNP are complex and usually require legal expertise.
We have helped hundreds of individuals and their families successfully immigrate to Canada through the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program. Our experienced immigration lawyers will be able to assess your case and recommend a course of action to best serve your needs.
The first step towards your Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program application is getting an assessment of your case. Fill out our free immigration assessment form and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
Make it happen!
Book a consultation and start your immigration process now!