Northwest Territories Nominee

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)


The NTNP was launched in August 2009 as a three-year pilot program and is the Territories’ first immigration agreement with the Canadian government.

The NTNP will help strengthen the Territories’ economy by attracting qualified individuals to fill critical labour shortages and promote business development. Applicants can be nominated for permanent residency under one of four categories: Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker (Service and Hospitality Sector Occupations), Entrepreneur Business and Self-Employed Business.

Skilled Worker

Eligibility

The Employer must:

  • Have a job vacancy;
  • Identify a potential nominee;
  • Be a registered business, industry association or a local, municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in the NWT that has been registered and operational for a minimum of one (1) year;
  • Prove they have tried to recruit locally and nationally to fill the position;
  • Obtain a Labour Market Opinion (see HRSDC link in Appendix C).

The Job Offer must:

  • Be a permanent full-time position;
  • Be in an occupation that falls into NOC Matrix Skill Levels O, A or B
  • Not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements;
  • Comply with the NWT Employment Standards Act;
  • Provide a comparable industry rate of pay.

The Nominee must:

  • Have the required certification or accreditation for the specific trade or occupation;
  • Be licensed or accepted by the Territorial body governing the occupation or trade, if applicable;
  • Be able to conduct basic communications in either English or French, depending on the official language of the work place; and,
  • Not be a refugee claimant.

Critical Impact Worker (Service and Hospitality Sector Occupations)

The program is intended to ease critical labour shortages that cannot be filled by local residents, particularly entry level jobs in the hospitality and service sector industry. Employees must have worked in the position for six (6) months under a temporary foreign worker permit.

The Employer must:

  • Have a job vacancy;
  • Identify a potential nominee;
  • Be a registered business, industry association or a local, municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in the NWT that has been registered and operational for a minimum of six (6) months;
  • Prove that they have tried to recruit locally and nationally;
  • Obtain a Labour Market Opinion; and,
  • Be in good standing with the Employment Standards office.

The Offer of Employment must:

  • Be for a permanent full-time position (minimum 30 hours per week);
  • Be in an occupation that falls into skill level C or D of the NOC Matrix. These occupations usually require secondary school and/or occupation-specific training or on-the-job training;
  • Not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements;
  • Meet the requirements of territorial employment standards;
  • Provide a comparable industry rate of pay.

The Nominee must:

  • Have a temporary Work Permit and have worked in the same position for six (6) months;
  • Prove sufficient financial supports or settlement supports in the NWT;
  • Have the required work experience for the specific occupation;
  • Be able to conduct basic communications in either English or French, depending on the official language of the work place;
  • Not be a refugee claimant.

Entrepreneur Business

This program invites entrepreneurs and/or owner/operators of businesses who want to immigrate to the NWT and establish business operations. All economic sectors are eligible, but priority is given if the business involves a product that is new to the NWT or if the product would generate significant benefits to the north. A business plan is required. The applicant’s business plan may involve a new business start-up, the purchase of an existing business or investment as an active management partner in an existing business. The business plan must clearly detail the incremental benefits that will accrue to the NWT.

The applicant must:

  • Invest a minimum of C$300,000 equity into starting or buying a business within Yellowknife, NWT; or at least C$150,000 outside Yellowknife
  • Have a personal net worth of: at least C$500,000 if starting or buying a business within Yellowknife, NWT; or at least C$250,000 outside Yellowknife
  • Have an additional C$75,000 kept in a trust account and released upon completion of a Performance Agreement based on a business proposal;
  • Demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of NWT
  • Have reasonable communication skills; and,
  • Have the necessary experience and education to successfully implement the business plan.

Self-Employed Business

This category invites self-employed professionals who can provide a service that is in demand in the NWT by establishing business outlets or professional practices..

The applicant must:

  • Have a profession that is identified as a professional skill shortage;
  • Satisfy any certification or accreditation requirements for the particular profession or occupation;
  • Be licensed/accepted by the body governing the profession, if any;
  • Demonstrate reasonable communication skills appropriate to the NWT;
  • Demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the NWT;
  • Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to start and operate the professional practice and to support themselves and any dependents for a period of six (6) months;
  • Submit a detailed business plan for the business or practice.

Business Programs Application Process

All applicants must be interviewed to assess his/her knowledge of the NWT, and his/her communication skills. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with Department officials during any visit to the NWT.