Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NWT) Announces 2026 Nomination Allocation and Introduces a New EOI Model
Chương trình đề cử tỉnh bang tại Lãnh thổ Tây Bắc Canada – Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – vừa công bố các cập nhật quan trọng cho năm 2026, bao gồm chỉ tiêu đề cử và thay đổi cách chọn hồ sơ đối với nhóm lao động do doanh nghiệp bảo lãnh.
Những thay đổi này được công bố chính thức vào ngày 18/02/2026 trên trang tin tức của chính quyền Lãnh thổ Tây Bắc, sau khi được Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) phê duyệt.
NWT nomination quota for 2026: 197 places
According to the announcement, the Northwest Territories were allocated 197 provincial nomination slots by IRCC for 2026 – the same number as the final slots allocated in 2025 after the quota was increased.
Đây là tổng số hồ sơ mà NWT có thể đề cử lên liên bang để xin thường trú nhân Canada (Permanent Residence – PR) trong năm 2026.
Implement the EOI model for the Employer-Driven Stream starting in 2026.
Một thay đổi lớn trong năm 2026 là NTNP chính thức áp dụng mô hình Expression of Interest (EOI) cho toàn bộ các diện thuộc Employer-Driven Stream.
What is EOI?
Expression of Interest (EOI) is a mechanism for "expressing interest," where applicants do not immediately submit a PR application. Instead, they first create an application profile and are scored and ranked. Only high-scoring profiles are invited to submit a formal application.
Areas where EOI is applied in NTNP
The EOI model applies only to the Employer-Driven Stream, which includes the following three branches:
- Entry Level / Semi-Skilled Occupations (Lao động phổ thông và bán tay nghề)
- Skilled Worker (Lao động tay nghề)
- NWT Express Entry (Kết nối hệ thống Express Entry liên bang)
How does NWT's new EOI process work?
This process requires the participation of both businesses and employees:
Step 1: The Enterprise (Employer)
- Businesses at NWT register and create accounts online.
- Select the correct Employer-Driven Stream
- Complete the business information section.
Step 2: Candidate
- After the company completes its step, the candidate fills out the EOI Survey.
- The system creates EOI profiles and places candidates into a pool (waiting list for selection).
NTNP's EOI scoring method
Candidates will be scored based on several factors. Below is an overview of the EOI scoring framework:
- Language (IELTS/TEF): maximum 125 points
- Age: maximum 50 points
- Work experience: maximum 100 points
- Educational level: maximum 100 points
- Links to the NWT labor market: up to 340 points
- Adaptability at NWT: maximum 130 points
Profiles with higher overall scores will be ranked higher and have a greater chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during EOI draws.
Areas where EOI is NOT applicable
The following two categories still maintain the first-come, first-served application processing method:
- Francophone Stream (Diện nói tiếng Pháp)
- Business Stream (Diện đầu tư/kinh doanh)
Important Note:
Even if invited to apply, NTNP will still consider applications in the order they are received, not based on scores.
Why did NWT switch to the EOI model?
According to the Northwest Territories administration, this decision was made after community consultations in September 2025, with the participation of:
- Local business
- Potential candidates
- The community at NWT
The parties wish to:
- The process is clearer and more transparent.
- Reduce the backlog of paperwork.
- Select the right candidates to meet actual labor market needs.
According to Secretary of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland:
“These changes will help NWT attract the right workforce and support immigrants in building long-term lives, contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of the territory.”
NWT's EOI withdrawal schedule for 2026
- NWT anticipates holding multiple EOI withdrawals throughout 2026.
- First withdrawal: scheduled for March 25, 2026
- Maximum number of invitations in the first round: up to 65 eligible candidates.
The number and frequency of subsequent withdrawals have not yet been officially announced.
Conclusion
NWT's adoption of the EOI model for the Employer-Driven Stream marks a significant shift towards selection based on application quality, rather than solely on the timing of application. With a target of 197 slots for 2026, competition is expected to be higher, especially for foreign workers currently employed in or with strong connections to the Northwest Territories.
