Business Immigration
Province of Northwest Territories
Experienced entrepreneurs want to invest and actively manage a business in the province
Business management experience
Net worth
$250,000 if elsewhere
Investment
$150,000 if elsewhere
Good-faith deposit
Refundable after 1 year of business operation
Language
Exploratory Visit
Type of investment
Job creation
1 full-time or 2 part-time positions (not including family members) if the business is located outside Yellowknife
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive the invitation. Please refer the application process. Applicant must fulfill all terms set out in the Business Performance Agreement to be nominated for provincial nomination.
Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government
Profile submission
Create an expression of interest profile on NTNP Online when all requirements are met.
Exploratory Visit
Visit the province for at least 4 business days to research, explore investment opportunities, and discuss with provincial officials about the business concept.
Provincial invitation
Based on the interview, applicant with a suitable business plan will be invited to submit a completed investment application.
Submit application within 6 months
Investment decision
Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.
Work permit
The province provides a Letter of support for the applicant to complete their work permit application for business investment.
Business establishment
After arrival in the province, start the business plan and send a progress report every 6 months and final report on the 19th month 12 months in business operation
Decision of Nomination
After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months
Get PR Status
Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months
An invitation to apply does not guarantee the application will be approved or the applicant will be issued the Nomination Certificate or granted permanent resident status.
Crucial elements affect the decision
Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents
Family-friendly
The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children
Work and study
Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program
Medical
Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian
Education
Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education
Benefits
Access to social benefits as same as Canadian
Mobility right
Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status
Sponsorship
Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met
Naturalization
Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met
Important requirements the applicant should note
Immigration Ineligibility
- Have a pending application for provincial nomination inside or outside Northwest Territories
- Have an unresolved refugee application
- Are living in Canada illegally or in restoration of status
- Are under removal order
- Are inadmissible to Canada
- Are a passive investor (rarely or not involved in day-to-day operations of the business)
- Immigration-linked investment schemes as defined in S 87(9) of the Regulations
List of Ineligible Businesses
- Restaurants proposed within the city limits of Yellowknife
- Seasonal businesses operational for less than 6 months per year
- Bed and Breakfasts
- Property Management
- Real Estate Development
- Home-based businesses
- Non-profit organizations and associations
- Holding company
- Payday loan, currency exchange, cash machine businesses
- Pawnbrokers
- Businesses previously owned or operated by a provincial nominee within the last 5 years
- Any immigration-linked investment scheme as defined in section 87(5)(b) of the Regulations
- Any business with a redemption option as defined in section 87(6)(d) of the Regulations
- Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of the Northwest Territories into disrepute
Basic requirements
- Networth of $500,000 CAD if the business is located inside Yellowknife, or $250,000 if elsewhere
- Experience in business management, senior management or equivalent qualification
- Intend to live permanently in Northwest Territories to own and operate the business and bring substantial economic benefits to the province
Language
Minimum CLB 4, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General)
- Test d'évaluation de français (TEF)
- Test de connaissance du français Canada (TCF Canada)
Investment requirements
- Establish, purchase or invest in an existing business in the province
- At least $300,00 CAD if the business is located in Yellowknife, or $150,000 if elsewhere
- Have a 33.33% ownership unless the total investment is greater than $1,000,000
- Make a good-faith cash deposit of $75,000, refundable after the business has been operated for 1 year
Purchasing the business
- Have been operating by the same owner for the last 3 years
- Are traded at a fair market value
- Are in good financial health, not in bankrupt
- Keep the same terms and working conditions for current employees
Business requirements
- Create at least 1 full-time job and 1 part-time job if the business is located inside Yelllowknife, or 1 full-time or 2 part-time jobs if the business is located outside Yelllowknife (not including family members)
- Reside within 100km of the business for at least 75% of the time while on a temporary work permit every year
- Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits
- Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
- Operate as permanent establishment organization as defined under the Income Tax Act
