This program is highly beneficial to those who have spent a great amount of time studying and pursuing a career in Canada and wish to settle permanently. Creating a strong impact on the Canadian community, this program appreciates the efforts and contribution made by the candidate towards the country’s economy.
Requirements for Canadian Experience Class
Eligibility for permanent residence under this class is assessed on a pass-fail basis where the primary criteria are the following:
The candidate has acquired 12 months of full-time work experience in an occupation categorized as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Qualifying occupations are those of a managerial, professional, technical or skilled trade nature.
The qualifying Canadian work experience was acquired within the 36 months immediately preceding the date of application;
The candidate demonstrates sufficient proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages. The level of proficiency required is determined by the occupation in which the candidate gained qualifying Canadian work experience;
The candidate is not inadmissible to Canada on medical, criminal or security grounds.
Qualifying work experience
Qualifying work experience must be full time and skilled. “Full-time” refers to 30 hours per week. Part-time work will be considered, but only on a pro-rata basis. For example, 6 months in a part-time skilled position at 15 hours per week will count as three months towards the required 12. Multiple concurrent part-time jobs can also be used to meet the experience requirement.
Any work experience acquired in Canada without valid work authorization will not be considered. Nor will periods of self-employment or work experience gained while the candidate was enrolled in a program of full-time study.
Language proficiency
Minimum proficiency must be demonstrated in all four language abilities, namely: Reading; writing; speaking; listening. Applicants whose qualifying work experience is in an occupation categorized as NOC Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A must meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7. Applicants whose qualifying work experience is in an occupation categorized as NOC Skill Level B must meet CLB level 5.
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Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- Northwest Territories Skilled Worker Program
In order to qualify under this program, the following criteria must be satisfied:
The Employer must:
Have a job vacancy;
Identify a potential nominee;
Be a registered business, industry association or a local, municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in the NWT that has been registered and operational for a minimum of one year;
Be in good standing with the Worker’s Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) and the NWT Employment Standards Office;
Provide proof of local and national recruitment efforts and submit a summary of results;
Obtain a positive HRSDC Service Canada Labour Market Opinion.
The offer of employment must:
Be for a permanent full time position (minimum 30 hours per week);
Be in an occupation that falls into high skill level occupation;
Not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements;
Comply with the NWT Employment Standards Act;
Provide a comparable industry rate of pay.
The Nominee must:
Have the required certification or accreditation for the specific trade or occupation;
If applicable, meet territorial certification, licensing or registration requirements of the job;
Have the required work experience for the specific occupation;
Provide proof of sufficient financial or settlement supports in the NWT;
Be able to communicate in either English or French;
Not be a refugee claimant.
- Northwest Territories Express Entry Stream For Skilled Workers
The Northwest Territories Express Entry Stream For Skilled Workers is aimed at foreign nationals who have a profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
Employers and candidates must meet the same requirements as the Skilled Worker stream, but also meet the following requirements:
Provide the Express Entry pool acceptance letter issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Express Entry Pool.
Provide a valid job seeker validation code.
Maintain valid status the Express Entry pool throughout the application process.
Meet the eligibility criteria for the Northwest Territories’ Skilled Worker stream.
Have expressed interest in settling permanently in the Northwest Territories.
- Northwest Territories Critical Impact Worker Program
In order to qualify under this program, the following criteria must be satisfied:
The Employer must:
Have a job vacancy;
Identify a potential nominee;
Be a registered business, industry association or a local, municipal, First Nation or Territorial government in the NWT that has been registered and operational for a minimum of six months;
Be in good standing with the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission;
Provide proof of local and national recruitment efforts and submit a summary of results;
Obtain a positive HRSDC Service Canada Labour Market Opinion.
The Employment contract must:
Be for a permanent full time position (minimum 30 hours per week);
Be in an occupation that falls into NOC skill levels C or D;
Provide a comparable industry rate of pay;
Be in good standing with the Worker’s Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) and the NWT Employment Standards Office.
The Nominee must:
Have a temporary work permit and have worked in the same position for six months;
Provide proof of sufficient financial or settlement supports in the NWT;
Have the required work experience for the specific occupation;
Be able to conduct basic communications in either English or French;
Not be a refugee claimant.
4) Northwest Territories Business Stream
The Northwest Territories Business Stream is aimed at entrepreneurs with business expertise and investment capital, who wish to purchase or start a business in the region.
Northwest Territories Business Stream: Requirements
Invest:
A minimum of $300,000 equity into starting or buying a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, or
A minimum of $150,000 equity into starting or buying a business outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT.
Have a personal net worth of:
At least $500,000 if starting or buying a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT, or At least $250,000 if starting or buying a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT.
Demonstrate they own at least one third (33.3%) of the business they are starting or buying. Where the personal equity investment is at least $1 million the applicant may own less than one-third.
Provide a good faith deposit of $75,000 to be held in trust and released upon satisfactory execution of the terms of the Business Performance Agreement;
Achieve Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 in English or the equivalent language level against the Niveaux de competence linquistique Canadiens (NCLC) in French. Recognized tests are IELTS and CELPIP for English and TEF for French.
Demonstrate a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the NWT and its economy;
Be able to demonstrate reasonable communication skills appropriate to conduct business in NWT;
Have the necessary experience and education to successfully implement the business plan.
Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to start and operate a business and support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the Business Performance Agreement
Not have an active application with any other provincial or territorial nominee program;
Not have an active application with any other stream of the NWT Nominee Program.
Not be a refugee claimant.
Northwest Territories Business Stream: Process
Self-Assessment and Initial Investigations
Further Investigations and Face-to-Face Interview(s)
Initiating the Application Process and Pre-Screening
Formal Application
Application Review
Approval and the Business Performance Agreement
Developing the Business
Nomination
