In an unexpected move designed to maximise its 2025 federal allocation, the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) will run a special third application window from 10 to 24 November 2025. Details released on 8 November show the territory hopes to process 103 additional files—enough to reach its restored quota of 300 nominations for the year.
The territory is simultaneously loosening several rules that employers and applicants had criticised as too restrictive. Work-permit expiry dates will no longer bar candidates, 2024-era work-experience thresholds have been reinstated for the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams, and caps that limited how many applications an employer could submit have been scrapped. Applications from workers whose permits expire within three months will be prioritised, a nod to the administrative log-jam still dogging federal processing.
![Northwest Territories opens rare third Nominee Program intake, adds 103 spots for 2025]()
For employers in mining, construction and essential services, the extra intake window offers a last-minute chance to secure badly-needed talent before winter sets in. Mobility teams should prepare complete packages in advance—the territory says files not finalised by 23 December will be withdrawn and asked to reapply in 2026. Given the small number of spots, speed and documentation accuracy will be critical.
From a policy perspective, the third intake underscores how provincial and territorial programmes are adapting to Ottawa’s push to curb temporary-resident volumes while still addressing acute regional labour gaps. Observers say the NWT’s move could set a precedent for other jurisdictions whose allocations were topped up mid-year—especially if federal targets continue to emphasise in-Canada transitions over new arrivals.
Prospective applicants should note that all other NTNP criteria—including language levels, settlement funds and intent-to-reside declarations—remain in force. Successful nominees will receive a letter of support for a work-permit extension and can expect permanent-residence processing through IRCC’s paper-based or Express Entry system in 2026.
The territory is simultaneously loosening several rules that employers and applicants had criticised as too restrictive. Work-permit expiry dates will no longer bar candidates, 2024-era work-experience thresholds have been reinstated for the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams, and caps that limited how many applications an employer could submit have been scrapped. Applications from workers whose permits expire within three months will be prioritised, a nod to the administrative log-jam still dogging federal processing.
For employers in mining, construction and essential services, the extra intake window offers a last-minute chance to secure badly-needed talent before winter sets in. Mobility teams should prepare complete packages in advance—the territory says files not finalised by 23 December will be withdrawn and asked to reapply in 2026. Given the small number of spots, speed and documentation accuracy will be critical.
From a policy perspective, the third intake underscores how provincial and territorial programmes are adapting to Ottawa’s push to curb temporary-resident volumes while still addressing acute regional labour gaps. Observers say the NWT’s move could set a precedent for other jurisdictions whose allocations were topped up mid-year—especially if federal targets continue to emphasise in-Canada transitions over new arrivals.
Prospective applicants should note that all other NTNP criteria—including language levels, settlement funds and intent-to-reside declarations—remain in force. Successful nominees will receive a letter of support for a work-permit extension and can expect permanent-residence processing through IRCC’s paper-based or Express Entry system in 2026.
