On September 25 2026 the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) issued invitations to 105 foreign workers for territorial nomination, a step that allows successful candidates to apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.
Draw summary
| Date | Invitations issued | Pathway breakdown | Profiles considered |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 25 2026 | 105 | • Entry‑Level/Semi‑Skilled – 58 • NWT Express Entry – 26 • Skilled Workers – 21 |
197 |
| August 26 2026 | 104 | 36 Entry‑Level/Semi‑Skilled, 47 NWT Express Entry, 21 Skilled Workers | 260 |
| June 25 2026 | 79 | 19 Entry‑Level/Semi‑Skilled, 40 NWT Express Entry, 20 Skilled Workers | 300 |
| March 25 2026 | 65 | 13 Entry‑Level/Semi‑Skilled, 32 NWT Express Entry, 20 Skilled Workers | 295 |
- Of the 105 invitations in the September draw, 96 were sent to workers based in Yellowknife and eight to workers outside Yellowknife.
- The September draw was the final scheduled draw for 2026.
- Cumulatively, the NTNP has invited 353 candidates under the Employer‑Driven Stream in 2026.
Employer‑Driven Stream – how candidates are assessed
Since February 2026 the program uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system rather than a first‑come, first‑served intake. Candidates submit an EOI profile that is scored out of a maximum 845 points across three categories:
- Skills and experience – up to 375 points (age, language ability, work experience, education).
- Connections to the Northwest Territories – up to 340 points (current job or offer in the territory, trades job offer, prior work experience in NWT).
- Likelihood of settling in the NWT – up to 130 points (family ties, previous post‑secondary study in the territory).
EOI profiles remain active for 12 months before expiring. The government evaluates all active profiles and conducts periodic draws, issuing invitations to the highest‑scoring candidates. Selected candidates move to the nomination stage, where the employer submits the nomination application on their behalf.
Process overview
- Candidate obtains an eligible job offer from an NWT employer.
- Employer creates an account for the candidate in the NTNP portal.
- Candidate completes and submits the EOI using the employer‑provided credentials.
- Government scores the EOI; draws are held; invitations are issued.
- If invited, the employer submits the nomination application; successful nominees receive a territorial nomination.
Additional program details
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Nominees who have submitted a permanent‑residence application can apply for a BOWP. Since June 9 2026, nominees applying from within Canada can obtain a BOWP earlier under a temporary federal measure that removes the requirement to first receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
- Quota increase: In August 2026 the federal government raised the NTNP’s annual nomination quota from 197 to 300 places for 2026.
- Future draws: The next draw under the Employer‑Driven Stream is slated for early 2027, with the exact date to be announced in late 2026.
Candidates interested in the NTNP should ensure they have a qualifying job offer, meet the stream’s eligibility criteria, and submit a complete EOI before the 12‑month expiry to be considered in upcoming draws.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
