Northwest Territories Opens Employer-Driven and Francophone Immigration Streams, First EOI Draw Set for March 25
Two streams now open with distinct application processes
On March 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., the Government of the Northwest Territories officially opened two immigration pathways under its provincial nominee program: the Employer-Driven Stream and the Francophone Stream.
The Employer-Driven Stream has undergone a significant procedural change. In late February 2026, the NTNP replaced direct applications with an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for this stream. The first EOI draw is scheduled for March 25, 2026, with up to 65 qualified candidates expected to receive invitations. The territorial government has indicated that multiple EOI draws will be conducted throughout 2026, though specific dates for subsequent rounds have not yet been announced.
The Francophone Stream has not adopted the EOI model and continues to accept applications directly on a first-come, first-served basis. The same applies to the Business Stream, which serves individuals looking to establish or acquire a business in the Northwest Territories.
For 2026, the federal government has granted the Northwest Territories a total of 197 provincial nomination spaces.
How the Employer-Driven EOI process works
The Employer-Driven Stream encompasses three pathways: Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker, and NWT Express Entry.
As an employer-driven stream, candidates must first secure a qualifying job offer from an NWT-based employer. Candidates cannot apply independently — the entire application process must be carried out by the employer on the candidate's behalf. Once a qualifying job offer is in hand, the process unfolds as follows:
- Step 1: The employer registers and creates an account on the NTNP's online application portal, selecting the Employer-Driven Stream.
- Step 2: The candidate completes an EOI survey, through which points are awarded based on several factors.
- Step 3: The NWT government reviews each EOI profile and assigns a score. Employers of the highest-ranking candidates are invited through an EOI draw to submit a complete application.
The EOI scoring system has a maximum of 845 points across three categories:
- Human Capital (up to 375 points): Language proficiency, age, work experience, and level of education.
- Connections to the NWT Labour Market (up to 340 points): Employment level and duration in the NWT, possession of a trades job offer, holding an employer-specific work permit in the NWT, and employment in a smaller NWT community.
- Adaptability (up to 130 points): Having immediate family members residing in the NWT and completion of post-secondary education within the territory.
The NTNP has noted that applications will be assessed in the order they are received. If an employer does not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through an EOI draw, they cannot submit an application.
Pathways to permanent residence after nomination
The route to permanent residence following an NWT provincial nomination depends on which category the candidate was nominated through.
Candidates nominated through base-category streams — including the Francophone Stream, and the Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations or Skilled Worker pathways under the Employer-Driven Stream — may apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Candidates nominated through the NWT Express Entry pathway of the Employer-Driven Stream receive 600 additional points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the federal Express Entry pool. This boost virtually guarantees an Invitation to Apply in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw, which can then be used to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Friendly reminder: There are many pathways to immigrate to Canada. We recommend first using UNA AI to generate an objective and neutral immigration plan, so you can gain an initial understanding of the possible immigration pathways and their requirements, and then choose to proceed with one-on-one consultations with a licensed Canadian immigration consultant partnered with UNA.
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03/21/2026
Ontario Resumes Provincial Immigration Invitations for Master’s and PhD Graduates, with Over 1,100 Candidates Invited
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03/19/2026
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03/18/2026
Latest Express Entry Draw Issues 362 Invitations to Provincial Nominees
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03/17/2026
British Columbia Invites Two Types of Entrepreneur Immigration Candidates in Latest Draw, Issuing Invitations Under Both Base and Regional Streams
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03/14/2026
Canada’s Immigration Reform Bill C-12 Passes Key Legislative Stage, Expanding Powers Over Work Permits, Study Permits, and Permanent Residence Documents
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03/13/2026
Northwest Territories Opens Employer-Driven and Francophone Immigration Streams, First EOI Draw Set for March 25
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) officially opened its Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams on March 9, 2026. The Employer-Driven Stream has transitioned to an Expression of Interest (EOI) selection model, with its inaugural draw scheduled for March 25, when up to 65 eligible candidates will be invited to submit full applications. The Francophone Stream will continue accepting direct applications on a first-come, first-served basis. For the 2026 cycle, the federal government has allocated 197 nomination spaces to the Northwest Territories.
03/11/2026
Canada Introduces Two New Facilitated Work Permit Pathways for Youths from Taiwan and Portugal
Canada has recently introduced two new facilitated work permit pathways under the International Experience Canada (International Experience Canada, or IEC) program for young people from Taiwan and Portugal. These are the TGPI program for Taiwanese youth and the Inov Contacto program for Portuguese youth. Both new pathways offer employer-specific work permits and include tailored arrangements in terms of program structure, financial support, and eligibility requirements. At the same time, applicants from Taiwan and Portugal may still continue to apply under the regular criteria for the IEC Young Professionals category. The new policy suggests that Canada is further expanding youth talent exchange and short-term employment cooperation with specific countries and regions through bilateral youth mobility arrangements.
03/10/2026
