Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Business Stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Program Name	Northwest Territories Nominee Program (Business Stream)
Stay Duration	2-year work permit; leads to Permanent Residency
Application Fee	$2,800 CAD (non-refundable)
Minimum Investment	$100,000 or $200,000 CAD equity
Minimum Net Worth	$250,000 or $500,000 CAD
Language Requirement	Minimum CLB 4 (English or French)
Eligibility Timing	Apply within 6 months of invitation
Work Rights	Supported for 2-year temporary work permit
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Must satisfy IRCC health requirements
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship Pathway	Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency
Family Sponsorship	Covers accompanying spouse, partner, and dependent children
Processing Standard	12 weeks for complete applications

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Purpose

The Business Stream of the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP), administered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), is designed to attract entrepreneurs with business expertise and investment capital to purchase or start a business, create jobs, and settle permanently in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Business Stream, applicants must:

• Financial Investment:
  • Invest at least $200,000 CAD in equity to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife; or
  • Invest at least $100,000 CAD in equity outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife.
• Personal Net Worth:
  • Demonstrate a verified personal net worth of at least $500,000 CAD for a business within Yellowknife; or
  • At least $250,000 CAD for a business outside Yellowknife.
  • Net worth must be verified by a designated third-party financial service provider.
• Ownership Share: Own at least one-third (33.3%) of the business (less than one-third is permitted if the personal equity investment is at least $1,000,000 CAD).
• Language Proficiency: Score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking) on a single test taken within the past two years:
  • English: IELTS General Training or CELPIP-General.
  • French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
• Job Creation Plan:
  • Minimum of one (1) full-time and one (1) part-time employee for businesses in Yellowknife; or
  • Minimum of one (1) full-time or two (2) part-time employees for businesses outside Yellowknife.
• Exploratory Visit: Complete an in-person business trip to the NWT for at least four (4) full business days (excluding travel days, statutory holidays, and interview days) at the applicant's own expense.
• General Requirements:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the NWT economy and sufficient communication skills to operate a business.
  • Possess required education and experience.
  • Have sufficient financial resources to operate the business and support all dependents.
  • Hold legal status in Canada (if applying from within Canada) or apply from abroad.
  • Must not have an active application with another provincial/territorial nominee program or another NTNP stream.
  • Must not be a refugee claimant.

Purchasing an Existing Business

If purchasing an existing business:

• It must have been under continuous operation by the same owner for the previous three (3) years.
• Existing job numbers and wage levels must not be reduced.
• Must clearly outline how the business will be improved, expanded, or upgraded, and generate a profit.
• Cash, working capital, pre-invitation expenses, and applicant/family wages are not eligible investment expenses.

Ineligible Businesses

The following businesses are not eligible under the Business Stream:

• Restaurants within the city limits of Yellowknife
• Seasonal businesses operating less than six (6) months per year
• Bed and breakfasts
• Property management and real estate development
• Home-based businesses
• Non-profit organizations and associations
• Businesses sharing a head office with another registered business
• Payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing, and cash machine businesses
• Pawnbrokers
• Businesses owned or operated in the last 5 years by NTNP Business Stream nominees
• Immigration-linked investment schemes or businesses with redemption options

Program Obligations and Conditions

Nominees approved under a Business Performance Agreement must satisfy:

• Residency: Reside within 100 kilometers of the business and reside in the NWT for at least 75% of the time while on the temporary work permit.
• Active Management: Actively manage and remain accountable for day-to-day operations on site in the NWT (monitored via planned and unannounced site visits).
• Operation & Investment Timeline:
  • Complete the Arrival Report submission within 60 days of the work permit's signed date.
  • Make the full eligible equity investment and operate the business for at least 12 months within the first 19 months following the Commencement Date.
  • Submit Interim Reports every six (6) months with verifiable spending invoices.
  • Submit a Final Report and attend an exit interview in the 19th month of the agreement.

Application Fees and Costs

• NTNP Application Fee: $2,800 CAD non-refundable, payable online at the time of formal application.
• Third-Party Financial Verification: All fees associated with third-party net worth verification are paid directly by the applicant.
• Federal Fees: Separate application and processing fees apply for IRCC temporary work permits and Permanent Residency.

Application Steps

Step 1: Self-Assessment & Working Business Concept
Step 2: Exploratory Visit (min. 4 business days) & Pre-Interview Submission / Interview
Step 3: Formal Application Submission (within 6 months of invitation)
Step 4: Application Review by ITI
Step 5: Sign Business Performance Agreement (within 30 days) & Apply for IRCC Work Permit
Step 6: Arrival in NWT (submit Arrival Report within 60 days) & Business Operation (12+ months)
Step 7: Final Report Submission (Month 19), Exit Interview, Nomination & IRCC PR Application

1. Self-Assessment and Business Concept: Verify eligibility and create an online account at immigratenwt.ca.
2. Exploratory Trip and Interview: Complete the 4-day exploratory visit, submit pre-interview documents at least one week prior (and business concept summary at least 24 hours prior), and attend an in-person interview.
3. Formal Application: If invited, submit a complete application within six (6) months, including the business plan, third-party net worth report, and settlement plan.
4. Assessment: ITI reviews the submission. Additional interviews or documents may be requested.
5. Performance Agreement & Work Permit: Sign the Business Performance Agreement within 30 days of approval. ITI issues a 2-year work permit support letter for the IRCC application.
6. Business Execution: Arrive in the NWT, complete the Arrival Report within 60 days, invest the required capital, operate the business, and submit semi-annual interim reports.
7. Nomination: Submit the Final Report in month 19, complete the exit interview, receive the NWT nomination certificate, and apply to IRCC for Permanent Residency within six (6) months.

Required Documents

All personal documents must be notarized/certified true copies. Documents not in English or French must include an official translation and translator affidavit:

• Passports (biographical page, entry stamps, signature page) for applicant and dependents
• National identity cards and birth certificates for applicant and all dependents
• Marriage certificates, Statutory Declarations of Common-Law Union, divorce, or custody documents (if applicable)
• Educational credentials and language test results (CLB 4+)
• Detailed Business Plan (including 3-year financial forecasts and local market research)
• Third-Party Financial Verification Report (NTNP-04)
• Comprehensive Settlement Plan (Appendix H)
• Use of a Representative Form (if applicable)

Important Warnings

• Finality of Decisions: All ITI application decisions are final; there is no appeal process. Denied applicants must wait nine (9) months before reapplying.
• Pre-Agreement Investments: Any investments made prior to signing the Business Performance Agreement and securing a valid work permit do not count toward minimum investment thresholds.
• Immigration Representatives: Only CICC members in good standing or authorized Canadian lawyers/notaries may act as paid representatives. Representatives are strictly barred from participating in applicant interviews.
• Revocation of Support/Nomination: Support letters or nomination certificates may be withdrawn if the applicant breaches the Business Performance Agreement, provides false/misleading information, or becomes inadmissible to Canada. Nomination certificates expire after six (6) months without extension.