How it works
About the francophone stream
The genuine overseas route, and the territory says so: candidates do not need a work permit when they apply, which is precisely why employers use this stream to recruit internationally. It runs first come, first served rather than by draw, and accepts job offers at every skill level.
Applying from outside Canada: The best northern option for applicants abroad. One caution: the governing guidelines still carry an effective date of November 2025 and were not reissued for the 2026 changes, so confirm the detail with the territory before applying.
Source: the province's own page for this stream. Last checked September 11, 2026. Provinces change stream criteria without notice, so confirm the detail before you rely on it.
Requirements
What this stream asks for
- A job offer from a Northwest Territories employer, in any TEER level
- Two language tests, each in a single sitting: CLB 5 in French and CLB 4 in English
- Settlement funds of $10,000, plus $2,000 for each accompanying dependant, with three months of stamped bank statements
- No work permit required at the time of application
Programme
The Northwest Territories programme right now
Open. The employer-driven stream moved to an expression of interest model in March 2026, while the francophone and business streams stay first come, first served. The 2026 allocation was raised from 197 to 300 in August. The last draw currently scheduled is 25 September 2026, with a cut-off of 22 September for entering the pool.
Two official pages, including the one Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada links to, still display a notice saying the 2025 intake closed against a cap of 300. That text is stale and contradicted by the territory's 2026 announcements and its own published draw record.
Official NTNP page Official draw results
Checked against the province's own pages on September 11, 2026. Streams change through the year, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
Explore
Other Northwest Territories streams
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Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program How the Provincial Nominee Program works
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