On 8 November, Canadian immigration portal CIC News confirmed that the Northwest Territories (NWT) will open an unscheduled third application window for its Nominee Program from 10–24 November, aiming to fill 103 additional provincial-nomination spots before year-end. Revised guidelines scrap previous limits on employer submissions and drop work-permit-expiry requirements, while reinstating the need for one year’s recent, relevant experience.
For Indian professionals—Canada’s largest source of new permanent residents—the NWT intake offers a faster alternative to crowded Express Entry pools. Candidates with expiring work permits will receive processing priority, making the stream attractive to Indian tech and healthcare workers already on post-graduation or employer-specific permits.
![Canada’s Northwest Territories Opens Extra Nominee Intake—New Pathway for Indian Skilled Workers]()
The NWT move follows Ottawa’s decision to restore the territory’s nomination allocation to 300 for 2025, after mid-year cuts. Employers in mining, construction and essential services can now submit unlimited applications, addressing chronic labour shortages in Yellowknife and remote communities.
Indian consultancies are advising clients to prepare documents quickly, as files not finalized by 23 December risk withdrawal. Successful nominees receive a provincial endorsement worth 600 points under Express Entry, practically guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Mobility advisers should brief Indian assignees in Canada’s western provinces on the opening and re-evaluate relocation packages to include northern cost-of-living allowances, given the NWT’s higher wage premiums and unique living conditions.
For Indian professionals—Canada’s largest source of new permanent residents—the NWT intake offers a faster alternative to crowded Express Entry pools. Candidates with expiring work permits will receive processing priority, making the stream attractive to Indian tech and healthcare workers already on post-graduation or employer-specific permits.
The NWT move follows Ottawa’s decision to restore the territory’s nomination allocation to 300 for 2025, after mid-year cuts. Employers in mining, construction and essential services can now submit unlimited applications, addressing chronic labour shortages in Yellowknife and remote communities.
Indian consultancies are advising clients to prepare documents quickly, as files not finalized by 23 December risk withdrawal. Successful nominees receive a provincial endorsement worth 600 points under Express Entry, practically guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Mobility advisers should brief Indian assignees in Canada’s western provinces on the opening and re-evaluate relocation packages to include northern cost-of-living allowances, given the NWT’s higher wage premiums and unique living conditions.
