The Northwest Territories is the federal authority of Canada. It not only offers excellent healthcare services & education system but also a plethora of job opportunities & highest median household wage. Moreover, it is home to numerous thriving cultural communities. The capital, Yellowknife, serves as an integral administrative, cultural, & economic hub for the area. Here is all you need to know about the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program.

Well, the NTPNP targets workers in skilled & semi-skilled professions via employer-driven immigration streams. Thus, the business-driven stream seeks entrepreneurs & business owners from all sectors to create & establish new businesses in this remote northern region. 

Today, we will discuss the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program. So, stick to this guide to know all the streams & their respective eligibility criteria.

Employer – Driven Stream 

This stream is specifically for employers who want to hire & nominate foreign nationals when there are no Canadians or Canadian Permanent Residents available. Applicants need to have an employment offer from an NWT employer. The Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program (NTPNP) does not accept expressions of interest from individuals without an employment offer. In addition, this stream helps employers hire skilled workers & help them achieve Canadian Permanent Residency through the following categories: 

• Skilled Worker 
• Entry Level/ Semi-Skilled Professions 
• NWT Express Entry 

Eligibility Criteria For Employers 

An employer must: 

• Have a registered business or a local, municipal, First Nation, or territorial government with an office/ establishment in the Northwest Territories which is operational year-round. 
• Be in good standing with the Northwest Territories ‘Workers’ Safety & Compensation Commission & must submit proof of valid registration. 
• Offer a permanent full-time position. 
• Submit a copy of a positive LMIA/ proof of job advertising. NWT Employers applying to nominate a Nominee Applicant without a positive LMIA are needed to submit proof of local & national advertising, along with a summary of advertising results. 
• Provide a comparable industry wage that should always be equal to or more than the present minimum wage of the Northwest Territories. 

Entry-Level Or Semi-Skilled Professions 

The second category in the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program is the Entry-Level/ Semi-Skilled professions. 

This category targets foreign nations & assists employers to address workforce shortages for entry-level/ semi-skilled jobs. In order to be eligible, foreign nationals must have worked full-time in the same position with the employer for six months. 

Eligibility Criteria 

In order to be eligible, an applicant must: 

• Submit original/ certified true copies of personal documentation 
• Hold a legal status to work & must have a valid work permit for the time duration of the application process 
• Have the required education or specialization to perform the job they have obtained
• Possess one year of full-time experience in the profession they are being nominated for within the last ten years
• Have a Canadian Language Benchmark level 4
• Have sufficient funds

Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program – Skilled Worker 

This category enables employers to target foreign nationals to address skill shortages in the NWT labor market. 

Eligibility Requirement 

In order to be eligible, applicants must: 

• Submit original/ certified true copies of personal documentation 
• Hold a legal status to work & must have a valid work permit for the time duration of the application process 
• Have the required education or specialization to perform the job they have obtained
• Possess one year of full-time experience in the profession they are being nominated for within the last ten years
• Have a Canadian Language Benchmark level 7 for NOC 0 & A jobs and CLB 5 for NOC B jobs
• Have enough funds      

Northwest Territory Express Entry 

Skilled Workers in the federal Express Entry pool who wish to work & live in the Northwest Territories can apply under the NWT Express Entry category. 

Eligibility Requirement 

• Submit original/ certified true copies of a personal documentation 
• Hold a legal status to work & must have a valid work permit for the time duration of the application process 
• Have the required education or specialization to perform the job they have obtained
• Possess one year of full-time experience in the profession they are being nominated for within the last ten years
• Have a Canadian Language Benchmark level of 7 for NOC 0 & A jobs and CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
• Have enough funds 

Business Stream 

The last category in the Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program is the Business Stream. 

The Business Stream targets people who intend to launch a business but an existing business or invest in & operate an existing business in the Northwest Territories. 

Eligibility Criteria 

In order to apply for this stream, the following criteria should be met by the applicant: 

• Demonstrate ownership of a minimum of 33.3% of the business/ company unless the personal equity investment is at least CAD100,000, in which case an applicant might own less.
• Have a personal net worth of at least CAD 500,000 if launching/ purchasing a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife or at least CAD 250,000 if beginning or buying a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife. 
• Demonstrate proficiency level of 4 against CLB 4 in English or equivalent language level against the NCLC in French.
• Have reasonable knowledge & understanding of the Northwest Territories & its economy. 
• Demonstrate the necessary experience & education to successfully implement the business plan.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources to begin & operate a business & support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the candidate’s Business Performance Agreement 
• No active application with any other provincial nominee program/ territorial nominee program or other stream of the Nominee Program in the Northwest Territories
• Invest a minimum of CAD 300,000 equity into launching/ purchasing a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife or a minimum of CAD 150,000 equity into starting or purchasing a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife.

Conclusion 

The Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program presents a valuable opportunity for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, & graduates seeking to establish themselves in Canada’s northern region. By meeting the program’s specific eligibility criteria & demonstrating their ability to contribute to the territory’s economy & communities, applicants can secure a provincial nomination. 

This nomination enhances their prospects of obtaining Canadian permanent residency. Thus, through the NTPNP, the Northwest Territories aims to address demographic & economic challenges while fostering diversity & growth.