North Western Territory provincial Immigration program
North Western Territory is not a full province in the Canadian federation but has a significant role in the country’s economy and social demographics. Presently, there are three major programs to facilitate the permanent immigration visa to qualified foreign nationals.
1. Skilled Worker
The primary purpose of this category is to facilitate the permanent immigration visa process of those skilled foreign nationals whose skills are essential for successful operation of territorial business that will compensate the shortage of such workers in the North Western Territory. This is an employer driven category and requires a valid job offer from a territorial employer to apply for permanent immigration visa under it.
Eligibility
An applicant must meet the following primary criteria in order be eligible to apply:
• Must have full time permanent offer of employment from a NWT employer.
• The job offer must be in an occupation listed in Skills Levels O, A or B of National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• The job offer must meet the territorial employment and wage standards and must not affect any collective bargaining agreement or labour dispute.
• Must have the essential education, training and experience to do the job.
• Must be eligible to obtain a license if the occupation is a regulated one.
• Must have moderate proficiency in either English or French.
2. Critical Impact Worker
As it appears from the title, this category is intended to help North Western Territory employers in hiring foreign skilled workers in sectors where there are critical labour shortages. This category targets low skilled workers that fall under the skills levels C & D of National Occupational Classification, particularly in the hospitality and service sectors. In order to apply for permanent immigration visa under this facilitated process, the foreign worker must have worked in NWT for at least six months under a temporary work permit.
Eligibility
• The Employer offering the job in a critical position must be registered with the NWT government and operational for at least 6 months prior to seeking the Labour Market Opinion.
• The offer of employment must be in an occupation under level C or D of the NOC. These occupations usually require secondary school or occupational training.
• The job offer must meet the territorial employment and wage standards and must not affect any collective bargaining agreement or labour dispute.
• The applicant must already be working in NWT on a temporary work permit for at least 6 months and should have ample support for settlement.
• Must have necessary experience in the subject occupation.
• Must have working knowledge of either English or French depending upon the level of communication required in the job.
3. Entrepreneur Business
In order to be eligible to apply for permanent immigration visa under this category, the applicant must:
• Make an equity investment of at least $300,000 in a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, or a minimum of $150,000 outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife.
• Must have a minimum personal net worth of at least $500,000 for a prospective investment in Yellowknife, or $250,000 for a prospective investment outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife.
• Deposit $75,000 as a deposit refundable upon completion of a Performance Agreement.
• Must prove a substantial knowledge and understanding of NWT.
• Must have reasonable communication skills.
• Must have the necessary business experience to successfully establish the business.
4. Self-Employed Business
In order to be eligible to apply for permanent immigration visa under this category, the applicant must:
• Be a professional that has been identified in shortage in NWT.
• Fulfill the certification requirements for the subject profession.
• Have a professional standing with the regulatory body of the professional.
• Have adequate language skills.
• Have ample awareness about NWT.
• Have substantial financial resources to start professional practice and to support the family for at least for 6 months.
• Submit a viable business plan.