Hiring skilled workers in the Northwest Territories (NWT) can be challenging. Many employers find it hard to fill jobs, especially in entry-level or specialized roles. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) — Employer Support stream helps NWT businesses hire and keep foreign workers when no suitable Canadian is available.
This guide explains how the program works for employers, who qualifies, and how to use it as part of your workforce planning.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program — Employer Support is an immigration support program for employers. It does not provide cash funding. This program allows eligible NWT employers to nominate foreign workers for permanent residence.
When the territory nominates your worker, the worker can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. This process helps employers fill long-term job vacancies and keep skilled staff.
Employers can use the program to:
To use the Northwest Territories Nominee Program, your business must meet all the employer rules.
Employer requirements:
If you do not show real recruitment efforts in Canada, your application will not be accepted.
Eligible jobs include:
The job must be real, full-time, and needed for your business in the NWT.
Follow these steps to use the Northwest Territories Nominee Program:
You must try to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident before nominating a foreign worker. Advertise the job and keep records of your efforts. Save copies of:
You need this proof for your application.
If you cannot find a Canadian or permanent resident, you can offer the job to a foreign worker who meets the job requirements.
Apply to the Government of the Northwest Territories to support your worker’s nomination. Include:
If your nomination is approved, the worker applies to IRCC for permanent residence. Some nominations can use Express Entry, which may speed up processing.
This program works best for long-term hiring needs. It is not meant for urgent or short-term labour gaps.
Not recruiting in Canada first
If you skip Canadian recruitment steps, your application will be refused.
Thinking it is a wage subsidy
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program does not pay for wages or training costs.
Offering part-time or seasonal work
Most nominations require full-time, ongoing jobs.
Sending incomplete applications
Missing documents, like proof of WSCC or Employment Standards compliance, can delay or stop approval.
Q: Is the Northwest Territories Nominee Program a grant?
No. It does not provide funding. It is an immigration support program to help employers hire and keep foreign workers.
Q: Can entry-level positions qualify?
Yes. Entry-level jobs can be eligible if the employer meets all requirements and cannot find a Canadian worker.
Q: How long does the employer nomination process take?
Processing times depend on how complete your application is. There is no guaranteed timeline.
Q: Do I need to use Express Entry?
Not always. Some nominations use Express Entry, but others follow different federal immigration paths.
Q: What proof of recruitment is required?
You must show job advertising and explain why Canadian applicants were not suitable.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program can help if you need long-term staff and want to keep good workers. Start by making sure your business meets all requirements, keep records of your recruitment efforts, and identify roles that support your ongoing operations.
If you want to compare other employer support programs, GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and support programs across Canada. You can check which ones fit your business and hiring needs.
For more options, see related guides like How to qualify for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agriculture Stream) and How to Use Job Bank and Labour Market Programs to Hire and Retain Workers in Canada.
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