The Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream EOI draw is scheduled for September 25, 2026, giving eligible candidates one final scheduled selection opportunity under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program this year.
Candidates who want their profiles considered must submit their Expression of Interest profiles by September 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. The Northwest Territories government expects to select approximately 100 profiles in the upcoming draw.
September 25 Will be the Final 2026 NWT Employer-Driven Stream EOI Draw
The Northwest Territories launched its new Expression of Interest system for the Employer-Driven Stream earlier in 2026.
Three selection rounds have already taken place:
- March 25, 2026
- June 25, 2026
- August 26, 2026
Across those three rounds, 248 top-ranking profiles were selected:
| Category | Profiles selected |
| NWT Express Entry | 119 |
| Skilled Worker | 61 |
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 68 |
| Total | 248 |
The September 25 round is scheduled to select approximately 100 additional profiles.
The provincial government has also confirmed that the 2027 selection rounds will be announced later.
The September 22 Deadline is Important
Candidates interested in being considered for the September selection must submit their EOI profile by 11:59 p.m. MT on September 22.
This deadline is particularly important because the September 25 draw is the final scheduled Employer-Driven Stream EOI selection round for 2026.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the last minute because creating a profile and confirming that all required information is accurate are separate considerations.
If an existing profile needs to be changed, the Northwest Territories government states that applicants must email the program to withdraw the current profile and then submit a new one.
Source: NWT September 2026 Expression of Interest Draw Update
How Are NWT EOI Profiles Scored?
The Employer-Driven Stream EOI system ranks profiles using several factors.
These include:
- Skills and experience
- Language ability
- Age
- Work experience
- Education
- Connections to the Northwest Territories
- Current employment in the territory
- Certain job offers
- Previous work experience in the NWT
- Connections that may indicate an ability or likelihood to settle in NWT communities
The province also considers factors such as whether a candidate studied in the territory or has family living there.
The purpose of the ranking process is to help the territory manage demand and select candidates whose profiles align with local labour market needs.
What Happens After a Profile is Selected?
Selection from the EOI pool is not the same as receiving a provincial nomination.
The NWT states that employers of the highest-ranking candidates are invited through scheduled draws to submit an application. Only invited employers can submit a full application.
This makes the employer relationship an important part of the Employer-Driven Stream.
Candidates should therefore review both their own eligibility and the requirements that apply to their NWT employer.
The mandatory eligibility criteria for the Employer-Driven Stream have not changed, according to the September announcement. Both employers and applicants must meet the requirements before submitting an EOI profile.
How Long Does an NWT EOI Profile Remain in the Pool?
Profiles that are not selected remain in the pool for up to 12 months from the date the profile was first submitted.
They can be considered in future selection rounds during that period.
The NWT government states that candidates approaching profile expiry will receive notification that their profile will be withdrawn by a specified date. They may then submit a new profile.
This is useful for candidates who are not selected in the September round because their profile may continue to have relevance for future selections, subject to the applicable rules and future draw schedules.
Northwest Territories Nomination Allocation Increased to 300 for 2026
The Northwest Territories’ 2026 nomination allocation was increased by 103 nominations in August, bringing the total to 300 for the year.
The territorial government said the increase restored the allocation to the levels seen in 2024 and 2025.
The allocation is determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, while the territorial government manages recruitment, assessment and nomination within the territory’s program framework.
The increase also allowed the NWT to add the August 26 and September 25 selection dates to its 2026 process.
Who Can Use the Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream?
According to the Northwest Territories, candidates seeking immigration through the Nominee Program’s economic pathways must generally have a qualifying connection to an eligible NWT employment or business pathway.
For the Employer-Driven Stream, the program states that candidates must have a valid, full-time, permanent job offer from an NWT employer.
The NWT Nominee Program also includes Francophone and Business streams, which operate differently from the Employer-Driven EOI system.
Candidates should therefore avoid treating all NWT immigration streams as one program.
What Should Candidates Do Before the September 22 Deadline?
Anyone considering the final 2026 draw should verify:
- Whether they meet the mandatory Employer-Driven Stream requirements.
- Whether their NWT employer meets the applicable requirements.
- Whether their job offer meets program conditions.
- Whether their language, education and work experience information is accurate.
- Whether their NWT connections have been properly reported.
- Whether their EOI profile is submitted before the September 22 deadline.
A high EOI score alone does not replace mandatory eligibility requirements.
For people exploring Canada immigration and Permanent Residence, the NWT pathway can be one option among several provincial immigration routes. ImmigCanada immigration consulting services can help candidates review their circumstances with a certified Canadian immigration consultant, Eivy Joy Quito.