Northwest Territories holds the first-ever immigration draw, i.e., the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has shared the results of its first draw after moving to a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system in early 2026. The draw was held on March 25 and invited candidates under the Employer-Driven Stream.
A total of 65 candidates received invitations in this first round. This marks an important step as the program now follows a more structured selection system instead of the earlier first-come, first-served approach.
The Government of the Northwest Territories also shared its plans for future draws in a news release published on April 16.
Results Of The March 25 Draw
Out of 295 profiles in the pool at the time, the territory selected the top 65 candidates based on their scores. These candidates were invited to apply for nomination.
The table below shows how invitations were distributed across different pathways under the Employer-Driven Stream:
| Pathway | Invitations Issued |
| NWT Express Entry | 32 |
| Skilled Worker | 20 |
| Entry Level/Semi-Skilled | 13 |
The EOI scores for this draw ranged between 417 and 597. Nearly half of all invitations, around 49%, were issued through the NWT Express Entry pathway. As a result, this shows that a large number of skilled candidates were selected through this route.
Upcoming Draw Dates For 2026
The NTNP has confirmed that two more draws will take place under the Employer-Driven Stream in 2026. In each draw, up to 65 candidates may be invited.
The next draws are scheduled for:
- June 25, 2026; and
- September 25, 2026.
Candidates must submit their EOI profiles before specific deadlines to be considered. For the June draw, profiles must be submitted by June 22. For the September draw, the deadline is September 22.
The program has also stated that cutoff scores may change in each round. This will depend on the number of candidates and their scores in the pool at the time of selection.
How The Employer-Driven Stream Works?
The NTNP introduced the EOI system for the Employer-Driven Stream in late February 2026. This change was made due to high demand. Earlier, applications were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Now, candidates must submit an EOI profile to be considered. Each profile is scored based on three main factors:
- Skills and experience (maximum 375 points), including age, education, work experience, and language ability.
- Connections to the Northwest Territories (maximum 340 points), such as a current job, job offer, or past work experience in the region.
- Likelihood of settling in the territory (maximum 130 points), including family ties or previous study experience in the area.
Since this is an employer-driven stream, both the candidate and the employer must take part in the process. The employer plays a key role in starting the application.
Steps To Apply Under The Stream
To be considered for upcoming draws, the following steps are required:
- Obtain a valid job offer from an employer in the Northwest Territories.
- Ensure both the candidate and employer meet all program requirements.
- The employer creates an account in the NTNP online portal and selects the Employer-Driven Stream.
- The candidate completes the EOI profile using the employer’s login details.
- The profile is then reviewed and given a score by the territorial government.
Candidates who receive an invitation can move forward with a full application for nomination. Moreover, this application is submitted by the employer on behalf of the candidate.
Profiles that are not selected remain in the pool for up to 12 months. After this period, they expire and must be submitted again if the candidate still wishes to apply.
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