Maple News reports that the Northwest Territories (NWT) has received 47 additional nomination spots for permanent residence under its Nominee Program for 2025. This development raises the NWT’s total allocation through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) from 150 to 197 spots.
The announcement was made by the Government of the Northwest Territories on September 2, 2025, highlighting efforts to address ongoing labour shortages in key sectors across the region. According to Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, these extra nomination spaces will play a crucial role in filling workforce gaps and supporting economic growth.
The additional spots will be used to consider eligible applicants from the 2025 intake cohort who were previously not selected. Applications will be assessed in order of applicants’ work permit expiration dates, ensuring fairness and timely processing for those facing imminent permit expiry.
Selected candidates will be placed in the NTNP assessment queue and notified directly via email. This targeted approach allows the province to retain talent already contributing to local communities and industries.
The NTNP currently operates three main streams: the Employer-Driven stream, the Francophone stream, and the Business stream. Within the Employer-Driven stream, applicants may qualify through one of three sub-categories: Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations, Skilled Worker, or NWT Express Entry. Each stream has distinct eligibility criteria involving factors such as job offers, work experience, and alignment with territorial labour market needs.
By increasing its nomination capacity, the NWT continues to demonstrate its commitment to attracting and retaining skilled newcomers, while also adapting to regional demands amid an evolving immigration landscape in Canada.