Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT) continue to attract skilled workers through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). The latest intake period closed on March 6, 2025, at 5 PM. Employers and applicants seeking nominations should be aware of key updates regarding application selection, employer eligibility, and processing timelines.
Application Selection Process
On March 11, 2025, following a pre-screening process, 90 applications will be randomly selected for assessment. If an application is chosen, the employer, nominee applicant, and/or authorized representative will receive an email notification. Applications that are not selected will remain in the intake queue until December 12, 2025. If additional spaces become available due to withdrawals or denials, the NTNP will continue selecting applications at random and notify selected applicants accordingly.
Employer Support and Eligibility
Employers in the NWT struggling to fill job vacancies can benefit from NTNP support. The program is designed to help businesses secure skilled workers while ensuring that local labor shortages are addressed effectively. Due to NWT’s smaller population, businesses can expect personalized assistance throughout the application process.
To qualify, an employer must:
- Be a registered business or a local, municipal, Indigenous, or territorial government department in the NWT.
- Have been operational for at least one year.
- Be in good standing with the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission and the NWT Employment Standards office.
- Have advertised the job position and failed to find a suitable Canadian candidate.
Employer Application Limits
For 2025, the NTNP has set limits on the number of applications an employer can submit based on business size:
- 1-10 employees: 1 application
- 11-49 employees: 2 applications
- 50+ employees: 4 applications
NTNP Program Streams
Employers can submit applications under one of three categories:
- Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations: For positions where a suitable Canadian worker is unavailable.
- Skilled Worker: For occupations requiring formal education and specialized training.
- NWT Express Entry: For candidates already in the federal Express Entry system.
If an application is complete and free of errors, the processing time is estimated at up to ten weeks.
Candidate Requirements
To qualify for nomination, candidates must hold a valid Canadian work permit. Additional requirements depend on the program category:
- Entry-Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations: Candidates must have worked full-time for the employer in the nominating occupation for at least 12 months and hold a work permit expiring in 2025.
- Skilled Worker & Express Entry: Candidates must have one year of experience in the occupation and a work permit expiring in 2025 OR 18 months of full-time work with the employer before applying.
If an employer holds an approved Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), additional job advertising is not required. However, proof of the approved LMIA must be submitted.
Job Advertising Requirements
Employers applying under different categories must meet specific advertising guidelines:
- Skilled Worker & Express Entry: The position must have been advertised for at least 14 consecutive days within the past 20 months before applying.
- Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations: The position must have been advertised for 30 consecutive days within the past 18 months.
A summary of advertising results is also required, detailing all received applications, reasons for rejection, and justification for selecting the nominee.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program remains a valuable pathway for employers and skilled workers looking to establish long-term careers in the NWT. With structured application intake, clear employer guidelines, and well-defined candidate qualifications, the NTNP continues to support economic growth and workforce development in Canada’s northern region.
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