Basics of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program

How to Immigrate to Northwest Territories through PNP

The territory of Northwest Territories is a unique destination for anyone to immigrate to in the world. It is located in the mid-north part of Canada and has beautiful snowy scenery to enjoy. The Northwest Territories of Canada has partnered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This was done to specifically help Northwest Territories employers to find employees for their businesses. Foreign nationals who are applying through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) have three different ways to gain permanent residency in Northwest Territories. Under this program, Northwest Territories chooses individuals who have a connection with Northwest Territories. In this article, I will address what the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) is and the three different ways to gain permanent residency in Northwest Territories.

What is the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT)

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) is an economic immigration program that helps the territory of Northwest Territories to meet their labour market needs. It also helps prioritize economic development within Northwest Territories. It also helps foreign nationals who would like to immigrate to the Northwest Territories by choosing the appropriate candidate through the nominee program to be invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The program facilitates the Northwest Territories to nominate skilled foreign nationals who qualify under the provincially established criteria to work in Northwest Territories. Evidently, this will result in these individuals being able to contribute to Northwest Territories’ economy.

How does the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) Work

If you receive a nomination from the territory of the Northwest Territories, then you may apply for permanent residency in Canada. You are required to show intent to reside in the Northwest Territories. Additionally and fortunately, your spouse, common law partner and/or any dependent children may also apply for permanent residency in Canada, if and when you are nominated. Ultimately, the decision is in the hands of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as they process all permanent residency applications in Canada.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) offers nominations in its own immigration streams that target certain groups. The groups are also known as streams and are recognized as Northwest Territories Express Entry stream; Employer Driven Program; and Business Driven Program. As aforementioned, under the NWT, these are the three different ways that you can apply for permanent residency in Northwest Territories. Thus, it is highly recommended to understand what all of them have to offer before applying for the one that best suits you.

Streams under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT)

There are three different streams that you can apply for under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT). Below, I will list and describe the different streams in detail.

Northwest Territories Express Entry Stream

Candidates who are applying under this stream will have significantly reduced processing times for their application as it aligns with the Express Entry selection system. In order to be eligible to apply under this stream, the candidate must also be eligible under one of the federal economic immigration programs below:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Additionally, in order to be eligible under any of the aforementioned federal economic immigration programs, candidates must:

• Be on a valid work permit, if currently inside Canada;
• Intend to live and settle in the Northwest Territories;
• Be employed in a NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B occupation;
• Have educational experience and appropriate accreditation to fulfill the job duties;
• Have work experience required by the Canadian employer;
• Have sufficient language abilities in either English or French and the language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF);
• Have sufficient funds to settle in the Northwest Territories.

Employer Driven Program

Under this program, there are two different streams that candidates can choose from. For instance:

Critical Impact Worker Stream

This stream is specifically intended for candidates who have received a valid job offer from a Northwest Territories employer in a semi-skilled or unskilled position. Additionally, the candidate must also have the required work experience i.e. six months of experience in the same position in the Northwest Territories.

Along with the above eligibility requirements, candidates under this stream must also:

• Worked a minimum of six months in the same position in a NOC skill level C or D occupation
• Comply with the Temporary Foreign Worker permit
• Acquire a language test score of a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark of 4 across all four competencies (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in either English or French.

Skilled Worker Stream

This stream is specifically intended for candidates who have received a valid job offer from a Northwest Territories employer in a skilled position.

Along with the above eligibility requirements, candidates under this stream must also:

• Worked in a NOC skill level 0, A or B occupation
• Have the required education or specialized training for the intended position
• Have the required work experience for the job as per the job description
• Have the ability to communicate appropriately in either English or French

Business Driven Program

Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is specifically intended for candidates who are entrepreneurs and/or owners of businesses that would like to establish a business in the Northwest Territories. Within this stream, all businesses are eligible to apply. However, it is important to mention that businesses who will introduce a new product or service that has a significant benefit will be given priority over other businesses.

Self-Employed Stream

This stream is specifically intended for candidates who are self-employed and who desire to establish a business or professional practice that will assist in providing high-demand services in the Northwest Territories.

For more information on the eligibility requirements for the Business Driven Program’s Streams, please refer to our article “Eligibility Requirements for the NTNP Business Driven Program”

Contact Akrami & Associates

It is essential that you have taken all of the aforementioned important information in consideration prior to applying for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT). Additionally, if you are unsure what requirements are needed from you, it is always best to understand and research for more information before applying. Applying under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) for permanent residency in Canada is a difficult task to do on your own; therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients apply through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) and have helped them obtain permanent residency in Canada. If you believe that you might be eligible, then please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.

With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!