The Northwest Territories just held its final scheduled Employer-Driven immigration draw of 2026 — and 105 foreign workers now have an opportunity to pursue territorial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) issued 105 invitations on September 25, 2026, selecting candidates from three pathways under its Employer-Driven Stream.
The invited candidates had Expression of Interest (EOI) scores ranging from 317 to 492.
But the headline number isn’t the only thing worth watching.
The NTNP has changed how candidates enter and compete for invitations, and understanding that system could be far more useful than simply looking at the latest cutoff.
Here’s what happened in the September 25 draw — and what it means if you’re planning to immigrate to the Northwest Territories.
Northwest Territories PNP Draw: Key Numbers
The latest NTNP invitation round selected 105 foreign workers from 197 profiles considered for the draw.
Here’s the breakdown:
| NTNP Pathway | Invitations |
|---|---|
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 58 |
| NWT Express Entry | 26 |
| Skilled Workers | 21 |
| Total | 105 |
The selected candidates had EOI scores ranging from 317 to 492.
Of the 105 invitations:
- 96 went to workers in Yellowknife
- 8 went to workers outside Yellowknife
The figures show that the latest round remained heavily concentrated around workers already employed in the territory’s capital.
Why This Northwest Territories Draw Matters
At first glance, 105 invitations might not sound huge compared with larger provincial nominee programs.
But that’s exactly why candidates shouldn’t judge a territorial immigration program only by its invitation count.
The Northwest Territories has a smaller population and a different labour-market structure from provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia or Alberta.
Its nominee program is designed to help address local workforce needs while attracting workers who can contribute to the territory and potentially settle there.
For someone genuinely interested in building a life in the Northwest Territories, that regional focus can be important.
But there’s another major change candidates need to understand.
NTNP Now Uses an Expression of Interest System
The Northwest Territories introduced its Expression of Interest system in February 2026, replacing its previous first-come, first-served intake model.
Why make the change?
Demand for the program was high, and the EOI system gives the NTNP a way to rank and manage candidates before issuing invitations.
Instead of everyone racing to submit an application at the same moment, candidates enter an EOI pool and receive a score based on factors such as:
- Skills
- Work experience
- Connections to the Northwest Territories
- Employment
- Ability to settle in the territory
- Other relevant profile factors
The territory can then select candidates from the pool during scheduled invitation rounds.
In simple terms:
Getting into the pool doesn’t mean getting an invitation.
Your profile has to compete with other candidates being considered for the draw.
What Was the EOI Score Range?
Candidates invited in the September 25 round had scores ranging from:
317 to 492.
That range is useful for understanding this particular draw.
But don’t make the mistake of treating 317 as a guaranteed minimum NTNP score for future draws.
The score range can change depending on:
- Number of profiles in the pool
- Labour-market needs
- Pathway
- Candidate profiles
- Employer requirements
- Number of invitations available
- NTNP selection priorities
A previous draw tells you what happened.
It doesn’t guarantee what the next draw will require.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Workers Received the Most Invitations
The largest group in this round was the Entry Level/Semi-Skilled pathway, which received 58 invitations.
That’s more than half of the total invitations issued.
This is significant because many Canadian immigration discussions focus heavily on highly skilled professionals.
But the Northwest Territories is also using its nominee program to support employers who need workers in other occupational categories.
If you work in an eligible entry-level or semi-skilled position and have the required employer support and experience, the NTNP may be worth investigating.
Eligibility still depends on the specific pathway requirements, however.
26 Candidates Were Invited Through NWT Express Entry
The latest round also included 26 invitations through the NWT Express Entry pathway.
This connects the territorial nomination system with Canada’s federal Express Entry framework.
For eligible candidates, a provincial or territorial nomination can be an important part of a permanent residence strategy.
However, candidates should understand that being selected by the NTNP and receiving Canadian permanent residence are two different stages.
An invitation to apply for territorial nomination is not itself permanent residence.
21 Skilled Workers Received Invitations
Another 21 invitations went to candidates under the Skilled Workers pathway.
This route is particularly relevant to foreign workers whose skills and employment align with the Northwest Territories’ labour-market needs.
Again, the key word is employment.
The Employer-Driven Stream is built around workers who have an employment connection with the territory.
So if you’re sitting outside Canada without a Northwest Territories employer and simply hoping to enter through the next draw, don’t assume the latest invitation numbers mean you’re automatically eligible.
Your employment and program eligibility need to line up.
Most Invitees Were Working in Yellowknife
Here’s another number worth noticing:
96 of the 105 invited candidates were workers in Yellowknife.
Only 8 invitations went to workers outside Yellowknife, based on the information provided for the draw.
That doesn’t mean candidates outside Yellowknife cannot receive invitations.
It simply reflects where most of the selected workers were located in this particular round.
For applicants considering the Northwest Territories, it highlights an important reality:
Location and employment connections can matter.
If you’re already working in the territory, your profile may have a different position in the EOI system than someone with no local connection.
This Was the Final Scheduled NTNP Draw of 2026
There’s another major point applicants should know.
The September 25 draw was the last scheduled Employer-Driven Stream draw for 2026.
According to the NTNP, the next draw is expected in early 2027, with the exact date to be confirmed later in 2026.
So if you were hoping to enter the final 2026 round and didn’t receive an invitation, the next opportunity may come in 2027 rather than immediately.
That doesn’t mean you should stop preparing.
Quite the opposite.
The gap gives potential applicants time to improve their profiles and make sure their documentation is ready.
Northwest Territories Has Invited 353 Candidates in 2026
Across its Employer-Driven Stream draws in 2026, the NTNP has invited a total of 353 candidates to apply for territorial nomination.
The September draw added 105 invitations to that total.
Compared with Canada’s largest PNPs, these numbers are relatively small.
But that’s partly the point.
The NTNP operates in a much smaller labour market and uses its immigration program to address specific territorial workforce needs.
For the right candidate, a smaller program can still be highly relevant.
What Does This Mean for Workers Who Want Canadian PR?
If you’re already working in the Northwest Territories, this draw is worth paying attention to.
If you’re outside the territory, however, don’t jump to the conclusion that you can simply create an EOI profile and wait for an invitation.
The Employer-Driven Stream is tied to employment and employer requirements.
Your first question should therefore be:
Can I meet the employment and eligibility requirements for an NTNP pathway?
Then look at your:
- Occupation
- Work experience
- Job offer
- Employer
- Language ability
- Education
- NWT connection
- EOI score
- Express Entry eligibility
That’s a much better approach than chasing a number from one draw.
What Should NTNP Candidates Do Next?
Keep Your EOI Profile Accurate
If you already have an NTNP Expression of Interest profile, make sure the information reflects your current situation.
Changes in:
- Employment
- Job duties
- Work experience
- Language results
- Contact information
- Immigration status
may affect your profile or future application.
Strengthen Your Language Results
Language ability can be an important component of Canadian immigration.
If you’re eligible to improve your language score through a new approved test result, it may strengthen your overall immigration profile.
But make sure you’re looking at the specific requirements of your NTNP pathway.
Maintain Your Employment Status
Because the latest invitations came through the Employer-Driven Stream, employment is a major part of the equation.
Keep your employment documents, job information and supporting records accurate and up to date.
Understand the EOI Score — Don’t Chase It Blindly
Seeing a score range of 317–492 can make applicants immediately ask:
“How do I get 492?”
That’s the wrong question.
The better question is:
“How does the NTNP calculate my score, and which legitimate factors can improve my profile?”
Your score needs to reflect your actual qualifications and circumstances.
Prepare Before the Next Draw
Since the next Employer-Driven Stream draw is expected in early 2027, candidates have time to prepare.
That could mean:
- Reviewing eligibility
- Improving language results
- Updating employment documents
- Checking Express Entry eligibility
- Preparing education records
- Reviewing work experience
- Confirming employer requirements
- Keeping your EOI profile current
Waiting until the next draw is announced can leave you scrambling.
Can an NTNP Nomination Lead to Canadian Permanent Residence?
Yes, an approved territorial nomination can support a subsequent application for Canadian permanent residence, but nomination does not automatically mean PR approval.
The process involves multiple stages.
A simplified version looks like this:
Eligible worker → NTNP EOI → Invitation to Apply → Territorial nomination application → Nomination → Federal permanent residence application → IRCC decision
Each stage has its own requirements.
That’s why candidates should avoid treating an NTNP invitation as the final step.
It is an important stage in the process — but there is still a federal immigration application afterward.
What About a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Some candidates who have submitted their permanent residence application after receiving a nomination may potentially qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP), depending on the applicable federal requirements.
A BOWP can help eligible applicants maintain authorization to work in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed.
But eligibility isn’t automatic simply because someone received an NTNP nomination.
Federal work permit requirements still apply.
Northwest Territories Immigration vs Other PNP Programs
If you’re comparing Canadian provincial nominee programs, don’t automatically assume that the biggest province offers the best fit for your profile.
The Northwest Territories has its own labour-market needs, employer requirements and selection process.
That can make it relevant for workers who:
- Already work in the territory
- Have an eligible NWT employer
- Work in an occupation needed by local employers
- Have strong territorial connections
- Are eligible for the NWT Express Entry pathway
- Are prepared to settle in the Northwest Territories
The right immigration pathway depends on the applicant’s actual circumstances.
Key Takeaways From the September 25 NTNP Draw
Here are the numbers to remember:
105 — total invitations.
58 — Entry Level/Semi-Skilled invitations.
26 — NWT Express Entry invitations.
21 — Skilled Worker invitations.
317–492 — reported EOI score range.
96 — invitations to workers in Yellowknife.
197 — profiles considered for the draw.
353 — Employer-Driven Stream invitations issued in 2026.
And perhaps the most important date:
Early 2027 — next Employer-Driven Stream draw expected, with the exact date to be confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many candidates did the Northwest Territories invite?
The NTNP invited 105 foreign workers in its September 25, 2026 Employer-Driven Stream draw.
What was the NTNP EOI score range?
Invited candidates had EOI profile scores ranging from 317 to 492.
Which NTNP pathway issued the most invitations?
The Entry Level/Semi-Skilled pathway issued the most invitations, with 58 candidates selected.
How many candidates were invited through NWT Express Entry?
The latest draw issued 26 invitations through the NWT Express Entry pathway.
How many Skilled Worker candidates were invited?
The NTNP issued 21 invitations through the Skilled Worker pathway.
How many NTNP candidates worked in Yellowknife?
Based on the draw information provided, 96 of the 105 invited candidates were workers in Yellowknife, while 8 were working outside Yellowknife.
Was this the last NTNP draw of 2026?
Yes. The September 25 round was the last scheduled Employer-Driven Stream draw for 2026. The next draw is expected in early 2027, with the date to be confirmed.
Does an NTNP invitation mean I automatically get Canadian permanent residence?
No. An invitation allows a candidate to pursue territorial nomination. After nomination, the applicant must complete the applicable federal permanent residence process with IRCC.
Can NTNP nominees get a Bridging Open Work Permit?
Some nominated applicants may qualify for a BOWP if they meet the federal eligibility requirements. A nomination by itself does not automatically guarantee a work permit.
Final Word
The Northwest Territories’ latest draw isn’t about massive invitation numbers.
It’s about targeted immigration.
The NTNP is using its EOI system to identify workers who match the territory’s employment needs, with the latest round selecting candidates across entry-level/semi-skilled, skilled worker and Express Entry pathways.
And with the next Employer-Driven Stream draw expected in early 2027, candidates have a window to get their profiles in order.
If you’re serious about the Northwest Territories, don’t wait for another draw announcement before checking your eligibility.
Build the profile first. Then watch the draw.
For applicants who need help understanding whether the NTNP, Express Entry or another Canadian immigration pathway fits their situation, VisaNexa can help assess the available options before you move forward.
