Northwest Territories

Critical Impact Worker Stream

This stream is employer driven and is designed to help employers fill shortages for entry level jobs (National Occupational Classification Skill Level C and D positions) when they cannot find Canadian or Permanent Resident candidates to fill the position.

The employer must offer a permanent, full-time position (a minimum of 37.5 hours per week) in a Skill Level C or D occupation, provide comparable industry rates of pay and comply with the NWT Employment Standards Act. The employee must have a valid temporary work permit and must have worked for the employer in the same position being offered for a minimum of six months.

To be eligible as an employer, the organization must be registered and operational for a minimum of one (1) year in the Northwest Territories (NWT) and be in good standing with the Northwest Territories’ Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. The employer must obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment or provide proof of efforts to try to recruit locally and nationally to fill the position.

The employee must also show evidence of work experience, training, and education qualifications that may be necessary for the specific position. An English or French proficiency language test must be completed and the applicant needs to show sufficient financial resources to support their settlement in the NWT.

Skilled Workers Stream

This stream is employer driven and designed to attract qualified individuals that will assist with shortages of workers for positions in which formal education and/or specialized training is required (National Occupational Classification Skill Level 0, A and B positions).

The employer must offer a permanent, full-time position (a minimum of 37.5 hours per week) in a Skill Level 0, A, or B occupation, provide comparable industry rates of pay and comply with the NWT Employment Standards Act.

To be eligible as an employer, the organization must be registered and operational for a minimum of one year in the NWT and be in good standing with the Northwest Territories’ Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Employers are required to provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment or proof of local and national recruitment efforts to attract Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position.

Foreign nationals being offered the job must demonstrate that they possess the training, experience and education required to fulfill the requirements of the position. Foreign nationals must show at least one (1) year of full-time work experience in the specific occupation of the position. Any certification, licensing or registration requirements for the occupation must also be met. They must complete an English or French proficiency test and show proof of sufficient financial resources to support their settlement in the NWT.

Northwest Territories’ Express Entry Stream

With the introduction of Express Entry in January 2015 by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), NTNP has created a specific nomination stream for Foreign Nationals who have been accepted into the Express Entry pool.

To be eligible, a foreign national must first meet the criteria for at least one of the federal economic immigration programs subject to CIC’s Express Entry system (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker, and Federal Skilled Trade) and they must create a profile in the Express Entry system.

To receive a nomination through this stream, the employer and the foreign national must also meet the eligibility criteria of the Northwest Territories Skilled Workers Stream. The foreign national must have also expressed interest in settling permanently in the NWT. If a permanent, full-time position job offer is made (meeting the requirements set for the Skilled Worker Stream), the employer may submit an application under the Express Entry Stream.

Business Stream

This stream offers a path to Canadian Permanent Residency for individuals interested in establishing, purchasing, or investing in business operations in the NWT.

All economic sectors are eligible for this program. Priority is given to business projects that are new and innovative to the NWT or projects that would generate significant benefits to the NWT in terms of investment and job creation.

To be eligible, the applicant must meet certain investment and net worth criteria. If the applicant intends to start or buy a business within Yellowknife, they must invest a minimum of $300,000 and have a net worth of at least $500,000. For applicants with a business outside of Yellowknife, the minimum investment is $150,000 and a net worth requirement of $250,000.

In addition to completing an English or French proficiency test, the applicant must demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the NWT and its economy. A business plan must be completed and the applicant should have necessary experience and education to successfully implement this plan. The applicant will need to make at least one (1) in-person business trip to the NWT to gain knowledge about the business environment. The stream requires that a good-faith deposit of $75,000 be provided to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. These funds are returned to the applicant once they have completed the Performance Agreement, which is based on the business plan.

Once the prospective applicant is accepted and the business plan is implemented, a nomination certification would be issued for the purposes of applying for Permanent Residency.