NTNP 2026 Guide: What to Know About the 300-Nomination Allocation

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has received 103 additional nomination spaces for 2026, increasing its total allocation from 197 to 300 nominations. The additional allocation was announced by the Government of the Northwest Territories on August 7, 2026, following discussions with IRCC, which sets provincial and territorial nominee allocations.

The increase also led to an additional Expression of Interest (EOI) draw on August 26, 2026, giving the NTNP more capacity to select candidates through its Employer-Driven Stream.

In this article, we explain what the NTNP is, how the new EOI system works, and what the 2026 draw results show.

01. What Is the NTNP?

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is an economic immigration program that allows the Government of the Northwest Territories to nominate eligible foreign nationals for Canadian permanent residence.

The program currently has three streams:

• Employer-Driven Stream
• Francophone Stream
• Business Stream

For applicants with a job offer from an NWT employer, the Employer-Driven Stream is divided into three categories:

• Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations
• Skilled Worker
• NWT Express Entry

The Employer-Driven Stream generally requires a full-time, permanent job offer from an eligible NWT employer. The employer must also participate in the NTNP application process.

What Changed in 2026?

The major changes and updates for 2026 include:

• Allocation increased: NWT’s 2026 nomination allocation increased from 197 to 300, adding 103 nominations.
• Additional EOI draw: An extra draw was added on August 26, 2026, following the allocation increase.
• EOI applies to Employer-Driven Stream: The new points-based EOI system was introduced in 2026 to manage applications and rank candidates according to factors such as skills, NWT labour-market connections and adaptability.

02. NTNP 2026 EOI Draw Results

The NTNP introduced its new Expression of Interest (EOI) system for the Employer-Driven Stream in 2026. Under this system, eligible candidates submit an EOI profile after their employer registers them in the NTNP online system. Here are the official EOI draw results for 2026:

NTNP 2026 EOI Draw Results

Draw Date	Invitations	NWT Express Entry	Skilled Worker	Entry Level / Semi-Skilled	EOI Score Range
March 25, 2026	65	32	20	13	417–597
June 25, 2026	79	40	20	19	386–590
August 26, 2026	104	47	21	36	346–555
September 25, 2026	105	26	21	58	317–492

Source: Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), official EOI draw results.

The September 25 draw was the final scheduled EOI draw for 2026. The NTNP has stated that the next EOI draw will take place in early 2027, with the exact date to be confirmed later in 2026.

03. How Does the NTNP EOI System Work?

The EOI system is not a permanent residence application. Instead, it is a profile used by the NTNP to rank candidates before they are invited to submit a full application.

The system evaluates candidates based on three main areas:

1. Human Capital

This includes factors such as:

• Language ability
• Age
• Work experience
• Education

2. Connections to the NWT Labour Market

Candidates may receive points based on factors such as:

• Their current employment in the NWT
• Length of employment in the territory
• Having a skilled trades job offer
• Holding a closed work permit in the NWT
• Working in a smaller NWT community

3. Adaptability

This includes factors such as:

• Having immediate family members in the NWT
• Having completed post-secondary education in the NWT

Candidates are ranked according to their EOI scores, and employers associated with the highest-ranking profiles are invited to submit a full NTNP application.

Importantly, submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation or a nomination. The number of candidates selected depends on the program’s available nomination allocation and application demand.

04. Who May Be Eligible for the NTNP?

Eligibility depends on the stream and category. In general, applicants interested in the Employer-Driven Stream need an eligible job offer from an NWT employer, while the Francophone Stream and Business Stream have their own requirements.

The Employer-Driven Stream currently includes:

• Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations
• Skilled Worker
• NWT Express Entry

The Francophone Stream is designed for eligible French- and English-speaking applicants with a valid NWT job offer, while the Business Stream is for foreign nationals who plan to start, purchase or invest in a business in the Northwest Territories.

Because eligibility requirements vary by stream and category, applicants should review the specific program requirements before submitting an EOI or application.

Need Help Understanding Your NTNP Options?

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program has introduced a new EOI system and increased its 2026 allocation to 300 nominations. Understanding the difference between the EOI process, an invitation, a territorial nomination and the federal permanent residence application is important before deciding which pathway may apply to you.

At LYC Immigration and Visa Services, our team provides immigration consultations in English and Mandarin to help applicants understand their available options and the requirements of their intended immigration pathway.