Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) Sept 25 Draw: 105 Employer-Driven Invitations and What This Means for Foreign Workers
What happened on September 25 and why it matters
On September 25, the NTNP issued 105 invitations to foreign workers under its Employer-Driven Stream. Invited candidates can apply to the territory for nomination; if nominated, they may then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence (PR). This was the last scheduled Employer-Driven draw of 2026. It follows two key changes earlier in the year: the switch to an Expression of Interest (EOI) intake in late February 2026 and a temporary federal measure (effective June 9, 2026) that lets many PNP applicants apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) months sooner by removing the need to wait for an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). Together, these changes affect timing, eligibility planning, and work-authorized continuity for nominees.
Detailed draw results and distribution
The September 25 draw issued 105 invitations across the Employer-Driven Stream’s three pathways. Candidate EOI scores ranged from 317 to 492. The breakdown:
– Entry Level / Semi-Skilled: 58
– NWT Express Entry: 26
– Skilled Workers: 21
Geographic distribution: 96 invitations went to workers in Yellowknife and eight to workers outside Yellowknife. The territory considered 197 EOI profiles in this draw.
Totals for 2026 (Employer-Driven Stream)
– March 25: 65 invitations (13 Entry Level/Semi-Skilled; 32 NWT Express Entry; 20 Skilled Workers) — 295 profiles considered
– June 25: 79 invitations (19 Entry Level/Semi-Skilled; 40 NWT Express Entry; 20 Skilled Workers) — 300 profiles considered
– August 26: 104 invitations (36 Entry Level/Semi-Skilled; 47 NWT Express Entry; 21 Skilled Workers) — 260 profiles considered
– September 25: 105 invitations (58 Entry Level/Semi-Skilled; 26 NWT Express Entry; 21 Skilled Workers) — 197 profiles considered
Total invited in 2026 under the Employer-Driven Stream: 353.
How the Employer-Driven EOI model works now
In late February 2026 the NTNP replaced its first-come, first-served intake for the Employer-Driven Stream with an EOI system. Key steps:
– Candidate secures an eligible job offer from an in-territory employer.
– Employer and candidate confirm they meet stream requirements.
– Employer creates an account for the candidate in the NTNP portal and provides credentials.
– Candidate completes and submits an EOI; profiles remain active in the pool for 12 months.
– The territory scores active profiles and conducts periodic draws to invite top-scoring candidates.
– If invited, the employer submits the nomination application on the candidate’s behalf; NTNP processes complete applications and issues territorial nominations.
EOI scoring and categories
EOI profiles are scored out of a maximum 845 points across three areas:
– Skills and experience: up to 375 points (age, language, work experience, education)
– Connections to the NWT: up to 340 points (current job or employment status, trades job offer, prior work in the territory)
– Likelihood of settling in the NWT: up to 130 points (family ties, prior post‑secondary study in the territory)
Candidates invited on September 25 had scores between 317 and 492.
Why the BOWP update (June 9, 2026) matters for NTNP nominees
The temporary federal change effective June 9, 2026 removed the AOR requirement for many nominees applying for PR from within Canada through a base PNP, allowing them to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit sooner after submitting their PR application. For NTNP nominees in Canada, this can reduce gaps in work authorization while federal PR processing proceeds.
Who is most affected
– Foreign workers with eligible NWT job offers seeking nomination through the Employer-Driven Stream.
– NWT employers who must actively participate in the EOI and nomination process.
– Candidates already in the NTNP EOI pool or planning to submit an EOI before the next draw.
– Nominees applying for PR from within Canada who may be able to access a BOWP earlier.
Practical implications for applicants and employers
– Optimize EOI profiles: accurate documentation for skills, language, education, and work experience is essential.
– Demonstrate connections to the NWT: current employment, past work in the territory, trades offers, family ties, or prior study help scoring.
– Employer engagement is required: employers must create portal accounts and submit nomination applications for invited candidates.
– Monitor timelines: EOI profiles remain active for 12 months; plan updates or re-submission before expiry.
– Prepare PR and BOWP paperwork if applicable: nominees in Canada should plan PR submission and BOWP timing under the June 9 temporary measure.
– Note regional priorities: the September draw favored Yellowknife, which may reflect regional selection priorities under the Connections category.
– Increased nomination capacity: an August 2026 federal authorization raised NTNP’s 2026 quota to 300 nominations (previously 197), allowing the territory to nominate more candidates across the year.
Key numbers, dates and thresholds to remember
– September 25, 2026 draw: 105 invitations; scores 317–492; 197 profiles considered; distribution: 58 Entry Level/Semi-Skilled, 26 NWT Express Entry, 21 Skilled Workers.
– 2026 draws so far: March 25 (65), June 25 (79), August 26 (104), September 25 (105). Total Employer-Driven invitations in 2026: 353.
– EOI scoring: max 845 points (Skills and experience up to 375; Connections up to 340; Likelihood of settling up to 130).
– EOI profile validity: 12 months.
– Federal BOWP temporary change effective June 9, 2026.
– NTNP quota increase: August 2026 authorization to nominate up to 300 applicants in 2026 (previous annual quota was 197).
– Next Employer-Driven draw: scheduled for early 2027; NTNP will confirm the exact date in late 2026.
How applicants should prepare and what to prioritize
– Confirm job offer eligibility and employer willingness to participate in the NTNP portal process.
– Collect and organize evidence for skills, education, language, and work experience.
– Gather documentation showing connections to the NWT and ties that indicate likelihood to settle.
– Coordinate with your employer early to avoid delays if invited.
– Track EOI expiry and plan updates if needed.
– Prepare PR submission and BOWP documentation if you are applying from within Canada.
What to watch next
– NTNP announcements in late 2026 confirming the next Employer-Driven draw date for early 2027.
– Any further quota or allocation changes for NTNP streams and pathways.
– Whether the federal temporary measure on BOWP timing is extended, modified, or made permanent.
– Future distribution of invitations across regions and pathways; the September draw’s focus on Yellowknife is a notable data point.
For personalized support with your Canadian immigration pathway, contact GTR Immigration. Call us: +91-8810-686-447
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