After a postponement, the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWNP) will once again be accepting immigration applications starting February 27, 2025 at 9 a.m. Mountain Time. The submission period will run until March 6, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Mountain Time). Applications must be submitted online via the program's official website.
This reopening is accompanied by new rules and quotas, in response to the reduction in the number of designations allocated to the territory for 2025 by the federal government. Indeed, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has taken into account the concerns of local residents, businesses and organizations in adjusting the selection process.
A reduced quota and a new distribution of candidates
For the year 2025, the total quota of designations is set at 150. However, due to the postponement of the last application period, 60 applications submitted in 2024 will be processed from the 2025 quota. This means that only 90 new applications will be accepted this year.
The breakdown of applications will be as follows:
1. Yellowknife employers (Employer section) - 70 applications
- 35 applications for entry-level or semi-skilled jobs. Eligibility criteria include a work permit expiring in 2025 and experience in the following fields 12 months minimum full-time in the same occupation with the same employer.
- 35 applications for skilled workers and NWT Express Entry candidates. These applicants must either :
- Have a permanent full-time job offer with 12 months' experience in the target occupation and a work permit expiring in 2025.
- Having worked 18 consecutive months full-time in the NWT for the nominating employer, in the same occupation.
2. Employers located outside Yellowknife (Employer section) - 10 applications
- 5 applications for entry-level or semi-skilled jobs, using the same criteria as for Yellowknife.
- 5 applications for skilled workers and Entrée express TNO, based on the same criteria.
3. Francophones - 10 entries
French-speaking workers can submit their applications via the Francophone section or the Employer section.
A quota for each employer based on company size
To ensure a more even distribution of applications, a maximum number of applications per employer has been introduced:
- 1 application for employers with 1 to 10 employees in the NWT.
- 2 applications for employers with 11 to 49 employees in the NWT.
- 4 applications for employers with 50 or more employees in the NWT.
A random selection process
Unlike in previous years, the first-come, first-served principle will not be applied. Once the application period has closed, 90 applications will be randomly selected from those received and complete. Selected applicants will be notified by e-mail. Successful applications will then be evaluated according to work permit expiry date.
Limited access to the program despite strong demand
The GNWT recognizes that reducing the quota will limit access to the program for many workers and employers, which could lead to difficulties for some businesses. Employers are therefore encouraged to explore other immigration avenues available at the federal level. At the same time, the GNWT continues to request a higher quota of designations from the federal government to better meet labour market needs.
Preparing candidates before February 27, 2025
To maximize their chances, interested applicants are invited to consult the new program guidelines and checklists. It is advisable to gather the necessary documents now, so as to be ready to submit a complete application as soon as the portal opens.
This reopening of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program represents a valuable opportunity for skilled and semi-skilled workers to make a lasting home for themselves in this region of Canada. However, due to the limited number of places available, preparation and responsiveness will be essential for interested candidates.
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