Northwest Territories restoration: NTNP nomination allocation returned to 2024 levels

The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced a significant restoration of its Provincial Nominee Program (NTNP) nomination allocation for 2025. The territory’s annual allotment has been increased to 300 nomination spaces, up from the previously assigned 197, returning the NTNP to its pre-2025 capacity and paving the way for additional invitations to skilled workers and employers this year.

Rapid summary

• NTNP 2025 allocation restored to 300 nominations (from 197).
• Territory plans to open the next NTNP intake; details to be announced by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE).
• Restoration follows ongoing territorial advocacy after federal cuts to PNP allocations in 2024–25.
• The additional nominations aim to address labour shortages and support local employers and economic growth in the Northwest Territories.

Why the change matters

The restoration reverses part of last year’s national reductions to provincial and territorial nominee allocations. Local officials say the extra nominations will allow employers in the Northwest Territories to recruit and retain workers for essential roles, support regional projects and maintain business continuity in remote and northern communities where local labour pools are limited.

“The restoration of our full allocation means that employers will once again have access to the skilled workers they need to keep their business running and expand,” said the territory’s Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. The timing also gives the NTNP the flexibility to invite additional qualified candidates from prior intake rounds who were not previously selected.

How the NTNP works (streams and eligibility)

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program includes multiple streams to match labour market needs and settlement capacity. Key streams include:

• Employer-Driven Stream — for foreign nationals with a qualifying job offer from an in-territory employer; employers submit applications on behalf of candidates.
• Skilled Worker Category — for skilled professionals who meet specific job and experience requirements.
• Entry-Level / Semi-Skilled Occupation Category — for positions that do not require advanced formal qualifications but are essential to the local economy.
• NWT Express Entry Category — for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who meet territorial priorities.
• Francophone Stream — for francophone candidates who can help support local francophone communities; applicants may apply directly.
• Business Stream — for entrepreneurs who propose business investments and job creation in the territory.

Each stream has distinct documentation, language, work-experience and employer-support requirements. Some streams require employers to meet designated criteria before they can support a nomination application.

Recent intake history and next steps

The NTNP ran intake windows earlier in 2025 (February 27–March 6 and July 2–9). The territory previously received a modest mid-year top-up (an additional 47 nominations) to help select candidates from earlier intake pools. With the allocation now fully restored to 300 nominations, the ECE is preparing to open the next intake period; exact dates and nomination distribution details will be released once program procedures are finalized.

Who stands to benefit

• Applicants in previous NTNP intake pools who narrowly missed selection may now receive invitations as additional seats become available.
• Employers across the territory — particularly those in healthcare, trades, hospitality, resource and public services — will have increased capacity to hire and secure international talent.
• Communities experiencing labour shortages in remote and regional areas will gain more consistent access to workers who can help sustain services and economic projects.

Practical guidance for employers and candidates

• Employers should review NTNP stream requirements, ensure job offers and workplace documentation comply with program rules, and be ready to submit employer-driven applications when the intake opens.
• Candidates who previously applied and those preparing new applications should update their documentation (work references, language results, licences) so they can move quickly when invitations are issued.
• Express Entry candidates interested in the NWT Express Entry category should check their provincial match with NTNP priorities and be ready to respond to a provincial nomination request.

Broader context

The Northwest Territories is the first provincial or territorial nominee program to have its 2025 allocation fully restored to 2024 levels following nationwide reductions to PNP nomination caps earlier in the year. The move highlights the territory’s successful advocacy and signals federal willingness to adjust allocations where regional labour needs are acute. Whether other jurisdictions will see similar reversals remains subject to federal decisions and ongoing provincial/territorial negotiations.

Bottom line

Restoring the NTNP allocation to 300 nominations is an immediate boost for the Northwest Territories’ labour strategy. Employers, service providers and prospective nominees should monitor ECE announcements for intake dates and prepare required materials to take advantage of the expanded nomination capacity.