Residency & Golden Visas / Canada / Route
Canada · Investment route
Invest from CAD $100,000 outside Yellowknife, or CAD $200,000 within it, and obtain Canadian permanent residency through the NTNP Business Stream.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) – Business Stream enables experienced entrepreneurs to start, buy, or invest in a business in the NWT and obtain Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) through business ownership.
What you getالمزايا
Pathway to Canadian PR through business investment in the Northwest Territories.
Lower competition and access to emerging industries.
Strong government and community support for entrepreneurs.
Option to start or buy a business.
Include family for work, study, and settlement in Canada.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
Minimum investment (within Yellowknife)
Before application · CAD $200,000 equity into starting or buying a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife.
Minimum investment (outside Yellowknife)
Before application · CAD $100,000 equity into starting or buying a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife.
Net worth requirement (within Yellowknife)
Pre-qualification · Personal net worth of at least CAD $500,000 for a Yellowknife business.
Net worth requirement (outside Yellowknife)
Pre-qualification · Personal net worth of at least CAD $250,000 for a business outside Yellowknife.
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Invest at least CAD $200,000 within Yellowknife, or CAD $100,000 outside it.
Personal net worth of at least CAD $500,000 (Yellowknife) or CAD $250,000 (outside).
Own at least 33.3% of the business, unless your personal equity investment is at least CAD $1,000,000.
CLB 4 in English or NCLC 4 in French; test results no older than two years at application.
Complete an exploratory visit and interview — the stream is invitation-only — then sign a two-year Business Performance Agreement and live in the Northwest Territories.
Proof of funds
Who cannot apply
Failure to demonstrate prior business ownership or senior management experience.
Insufficient net worth or unverifiable source of funds.
Non-compliance with Performance Agreement.
Failure to complete mandatory exploratory visit.
The processكيف نعمل
Exploratory Visit
Visit the Northwest Territories to research business options and build local connections.
Apply & Interview
Submit your business proposal to NTNP and attend an interview with program officers.
Approval & Work Permit
Receive Approval-in-Principle, sign a Business Performance Agreement, and apply for a work permit.
Establish Business
Launch and operate your business, meeting investment and job creation goals.
Nomination & PR
After fulfilling program terms, receive provincial nomination and apply for Canadian PR.
Risk notes
This stream is invitation-only. You must complete an exploratory visit and interview before the NTNP will invite you to apply.
Industry, Tourism and Investment reserves the right to deny an application at any step, and decisions are final with no appeal process.
Compliance
When the NTNP moved its Employer-Driven Stream to an expression-of-interest system on 9 March 2026, it confirmed that the Business and Francophone streams continue to operate separately and remain open on a first-come, first-served basis, as they are not oversubscribed.
The Business Performance Agreement is a two-year legal agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The NTNP Business Stream has no deposit requirement. Security is provided by the two-year Business Performance Agreement.
The NTNP Business Stream publishes no application fee. IRCC permanent residence fees apply separately.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
Yes, an exploratory visit is mandatory before applying.
Start the Canada route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.