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Northwest Territories

Capital: Yellowknife

Population: 45,504

Climate: Summers range from 16° to 21° C. Winters can see temperatures from -40° to -27° C.

Must see: Nahanni National Park Reserve

Known for: Mining, Fishing, Aurora Borealis

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Learn more at www.gov.nt.ca or at 

extraordinaryyk.com

The NWT is an outdoor lovers dream with large areas of pristine wilderness, including the worlds largest dark sky preserve located in Wood Buffalo National Park. It consists of 3 main geographic regions; the Arctic Archipelago to the north, the Arctic Mainland (often called the Barren Lands) to the east, and the Mackenzie Valley area to the west where most of the population resides in the capital city. In the winter months you can view the northern lights and huge snow and ice sculptures, and during the summer experience 24 hours of sunlight and local artistry at the Great Northern Arts Festival. If you miss the festival you can always find many beautiful handcrafted works of art directly from the artists in NWT or at Acho Dene Native Crafts. Exploring the Northwest Territories will show you Canada's oldest rocks at 3.96 billion years old, a maze of rivers and lakes including the world's largest beaver dam, and an abundance of unspoiled wilderness!

Northwest Territories immigration starting guide

Business Stream

This stream is for people who want to either start a business, purchase an existing business, or invest in and operate an existing business, in the Northwest Territories. Ownership must be 33.3%, unless personal equity investment is $1,000,000 CAD in which case ownership may be less. In order to qualify applicants must commit to invest:

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  • minimum $300,000 CAD equity within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, with proof of a personal net worth at least $500,000 CAD; OR

  • minimum $150,000 CAD equity outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, with proof of a personal net worth at least $250,000 CAD

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Additional requirements include:

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  1. valid language test results at minimum of CLB/NCLC 4

  2. demonstrated knowledge and understanding of NWT and its economy, and ability to communicate with and integrate into local community.

  3. have the required experience and education to successfully implement the business plan.

  4. no other active Provincial Nominee or Refugee application

  5. proof of sufficient financial resources for immigration

  6. a demonstrated genuine intention to settle in NWT!

Employer-Driven Stream
Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations

If you have a valid temporary foreign work permit and have worked full-time in the same NOC skill level C or D position in Northwest Territories for at least six months, you may be eligible for this stream.

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Additional requirements include:

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  1. a positive LMIA assessment, or proof of job advertising.

  2. a valid full-time permanent job offer with an eligible employer.

  3. valid language test results showing a minimum CLB/NCLP 4.

  4. a work permit that will be valid (not expired) throughout the entire application process.

  5. have the required certification/accreditation required for their job offer, with ECA if needed.

  6. proof of sufficient financial resources for immigration - a minimum of $10,000 CAD for the applicant plus additions $2,000 CAD for each accompanying dependant.

  7. a demonstrated genuine intention to settle in NWT!

Employer-Driven Stream
Skilled Worker

If you have a valid job offer and one year work experience in a NOC skill level 0, A or B position in Northwest Territories, you may be eligible for this stream.

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Additional requirements include:

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  1. a positive LMIA assessment, or proof of job advertising.

  2. a valid full-time permanent job offer with an eligible employer.

  3. one year full-time work experience in the occupation they are nominated in.

  4. valid language test results showing a minimum CLB 7 for NOCs 0 and A, and CLB 5 for NOC B.

  5. a work permit that will be valid (not expired) throughout the entire application process.

  6. have the required certification/accreditation required for their job offer, with ECA if needed.

  7. proof of sufficient financial resources for immigration - demonstrated from the job offer and industry rate of pay.

  8. a demonstrated genuine intention to settle in NWT!

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Typically this stream is not open to applicants outside of Canada. In exceptional circumstances and depending on circumstances, additional steps (consulting with program officers, etc.) may allow for an exception.

Employer-Driven Stream
Express Entry - Skilled Worker

This stream is for skilled workers who have a profile in the federal express entry system.

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In order to be eligible for this stream, a foreign national must meet the following criteria:

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  1. be accepted into Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's Express Entry Pool;

  2. have a profile registered in the Express Entry system;

  3. have a Job Seeker Validation Code; and

  4. meet the criteria of the Skilled Worker stream.

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