Last Updated on March 10, 2025
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) Reopening for 2025
The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) has announced the reopening of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) on February 27, 2025, with an application intake period running until March 6, 2025. This update follows a reduction in the federal nominee allocation, prompting modifications to the intake process and program guidelines.
With a nomination allocation of 150 for 2025, the intake period will accept 90 new applications, as 60 applications from 2024 are being processed under this year’s quota. The GNWT has implemented structured eligibility criteria and allocation limits to ensure fairness and efficiency in the selection process.
Application Allocations for 2025 Intake
The 90 new applications will be distributed across various streams as follows:
1. Employer-Driven Stream (Yellowknife Employers – 70 Applications)
- 35 applications under the Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations category. Applicants must:
- Have an expiring work permit in 2025
- Have worked full-time for their NWT employer in the same occupation for a minimum of 12 months before applying
- 35 applications under the Skilled Worker and NWT Express Entry categories. Eligibility criteria include:
- A full-time and permanent job offer from an NWT employer
- A minimum of 12 months of work experience in the nominating occupation and an expiring work permit in 2025; OR
- 18 months of full-time employment in NWT with the same employer in the same occupation before applying
2. Employer-Driven Stream (Outside Yellowknife – 10 Applications)
- 5 applications under the Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations category. Eligibility includes:
- An expiring work permit in 2025
- A minimum of 12 months of full-time work experience in the same occupation with the nominating employer
- 5 applications under the Skilled Worker and NWT Express Entry categories. Eligibility includes:
- A full-time and permanent job offer from an NWT employer
- One year of work experience in the nominating occupation and an expiring work permit in 2025; OR
- 18 months of full-time employment with the same employer in the same occupation before applying
3. Francophone Stream & Employer-Driven Stream – 10 Applications
- A separate allocation of 10 applications will be accepted under the Francophone Stream or the Employer-Driven Stream.
Employer Application Limits
To ensure a fair selection process, there is a limit on the number of applications an NWT employer can submit under the Employer-Driven Stream, based on company size:
- 1 application for employers with 1-10 employees
- 2 applications for employers with 11-49 employees
- 4 applications for employers with 50+ employees
Selection Process & Randomized Assessment
Unlike previous intakes, the 90 applications will not be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, once the intake period closes, a pre-screening process will be conducted, followed by a randomized selection for assessment. Applicants will be notified via email if their application has been selected. Once selected, assessments will be prioritized based on the work permit expiry date to address urgent cases.
Limited Intake and Alternative Immigration Pathways
Given the restricted nominee allocation for 2025, the GNWT acknowledges that many interested applicants and employers may not be able to secure a nomination this year. To address critical labor shortages, employers are encouraged to explore federally-managed immigration programs as alternative options. Meanwhile, the GNWT continues to advocate for a higher nominee allocation from the federal government.
Preparation for the NTNP Reopening
Prospective applicants are advised to review the updated program guidelines and application checklists in advance. Preparing required documentation and eligibility proofs ahead of the intake period will increase the chances of submitting a complete application.
How Growing Globe Immigration Can Assist You
With the NTNP reopening under new guidelines, it is crucial to prepare a strong application within the given timeframe. At Growing Globe Immigration, we provide expert guidance to help applicants navigate the Northwest Territories Nominee Program and other immigration pathways to Canada.
