Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): A pathway to Canadian immigration

For skilled tradespeople from abroad looking to make Canada their permanent home, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) under Express Entry offers an appealing immigration option. With its high intake quotas, straightforward application process, and fast processing times, FSTP is especially attractive to individuals with trade experience from around the globe.

Despite its benefits, applying for permanent residence (PR) in Canada can be a long and complex journey, and not all applicants are eligible. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the eligibility criteria and application process for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), ensuring that you are fully prepared to apply for Canadian PR through Express Entry.

What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)?

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of three economic immigration pathways under Canada’s Express Entry system. It allows skilled tradespeople who have at least two years of work experience and moderate proficiency in either English or French to apply for permanent residence (PR) and settle in Canada.

All Express Entry programs encourage foreign nationals to submit their applications online, offering quicker processing times compared to other immigration routes. While the Canadian government does not set specific intake targets for the FSTP, the combined targets for the three economic immigration streams—FSTP, Federal Skilled Worker, and Canadian Experience Class—are quite high, making these programs an attractive option for newcomers.

Eligibility criteria for immigration to Canada through FSTP

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

Skilled work experience requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

You must have at least two years of full-time work experience (3,120 hours or more) in a qualifying skilled trade within the last five years. If you have part-time experience, the total number of hours worked must be equivalent to the full-time requirement over the five years before you apply. Your work experience can be from any country.

The work must have been paid—either through wages, salary, or commission. Unpaid work, including volunteer positions or internships, does not count toward the required experience.

Your work experience must also align with the job duties and requirements for the relevant skilled occupation as described in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), although a certificate of qualification may not be necessary for all trades.

Language ability requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

Your language skills are a critical part of the FSTP eligibility criteria. To qualify:

• You must take an approved language test in either English, French, or both. These tests include IELTS or CELPIP for English, and TEF or TCF Canada for French. The tests evaluate your proficiency in four language abilities: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• Your scores must meet at least a Comprehensive Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
• These language test scores must be included in your Express Entry profile and should be valid (i.e., taken within the past two years) at the time of your PR application.

Job offer or Certificate of Qualification requirement for FSTP

Applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program must meet one of the following conditions:

1. A valid full-time job offer from a Canadian employer that will remain in effect for at least one year after you become a permanent resident of Canada. In most cases, a Canadian employer must first obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to extend a job offer to a foreign worker, unless they cannot find a suitable candidate within Canada.
2. A certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a federal, provincial, or territorial authority in Canada that regulates trades. Typically, obtaining this certificate requires passing a certification exam and fulfilling other specific requirements set by the issuing authority.

Education requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) does not have specific educational requirements for eligibility. However, having educational qualifications can earn you additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which could enhance your position in the Express Entry pool.

If your education was completed outside of Canada, you will need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This assessment ensures that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and considered equivalent to a Canadian credential.

Eligible occupations for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

Not all skilled trades are eligible for immigration to Canada through the FSTP. Only certain occupational groups are included in the program. It’s important to consult the National Occupational Classification (NOC) to confirm that your occupation qualifies under the program. You will need to demonstrate that your previous work experience aligns with the job duties and responsibilities listed in the NOC for your trade.

Here is a table with the required information:

Occupational Group	Description	Examples of Jobs/Roles
Major Group 72	Technical trades excluding transportation officers and controllers	Ironwork contractor, Machine shop supervisor, Maintenance machine shop foreman/woman, Metal mould and metal patternmakers supervisor, Sheet metal workers supervisor, Tool and die inspectors supervisor, Welder supervisor, Electrical contractor, Plumbing contractor, Carpentry contractor, Electrical mechanics foreman/woman, Heating systems contractor
Major Group 73	General trades	Concrete finisher, Tilesetter, Glazier, Floor covering installer, Pest controller and fumigator, General building maintenance worker and building superintendent, Transport truck driver, Heavy equipment operator, Printing press operator
Major Group 82	Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture, and related production	Logging and forestry supervisor, Mining and quarrying supervisor, Oil and gas drilling and services supervisor or contractor, Agricultural service contractor, Farm supervisor, Landscaping and grounds maintenance contractor and supervisor, Horticulture services contractor and supervisor
Major Group 83	Occupations in natural resources and related production	Underground production and development miner, Oil and gas well driller, servicer, tester or related worker, Logging machinery operator, Fishing master or officer, Fisherman/woman
Major Group 92	Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers	Mineral and metal processing supervisor, Petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities supervisor, Food and beverage processing supervisor, Plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor, Forest products processing supervisor, Textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing supervisor, Motor vehicle assembling, electronics and electrical products manufacturing supervisor, Furniture and fixtures manufacturing supervisor, Other mechanical and metal products manufacturing supervisor, Other products manufacturing and assembly supervisor, Power engineers and power systems operator, Water and waste treatment plant operator
Major Group 93	Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors	Mineral and metal processing central control and process operator, Petroleum, gas and chemical processing central control and process operator, Pulper, papermaking and coating control operator
Minor Group 6320	–	Cook, Butcher, Baker
Unit Group 62200	–	Chef

How to apply for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Trades Program

The process of applying for permanent residence (PR) under the FSTP is relatively straightforward, and the government provides clear instructions for each step. To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into key steps:

Obtain a Canadian job offer or Certificate of Qualification

To apply for the FSTP, you must have either a valid full-time job offer from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualification issued by a federal, provincial, or territorial authority. Job offers can be found through Canadian job portals like Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor, or by networking with other professionals in the trade.

The requirements for obtaining a certificate of qualification may vary depending on the specific trade and the province or territory where you plan to work. Typically, foreign-trained tradespeople must complete a qualifying exam or undergo an apprenticeship or Trade Equivalency Assessment (TEA) in the province where they wish to work. For example, in Ontario, Skilled Trades Ontario oversees certification, while in British Columbia, it is handled by Skilled Trades B.C.

Check your eligibility for Express Entry

Before starting your application, you should confirm whether you qualify for Express Entry by using the government’s online questionnaire. You will answer a series of questions about your nationality, language abilities, age, work experience, education, and other factors. The tool will then provide details on which Express Entry programs you may qualify for, along with a personal reference number that can later be used to pre-fill parts of your Express Entry profile.

Create an IRCC account and express entry profile

Once you determine you are eligible for the FSTP, you’ll need to create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Then, you can create your Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Before you begin, ensure that you have taken an approved language test and gathered necessary documents, including your passport, National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, and other relevant information.

In your profile, you’ll need to provide key details such as your work experience, education, language test scores, age, and preferred provinces for settlement, among other factors.

Submit your profile and enter the express entry candidate pool

Once you’ve completed your Express Entry profile, you’ll submit it to enter the candidate pool, where it will remain active for up to one year, or until you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR), whichever happens first. It’s important to keep your profile updated while it’s active and ensure that all the information provided is accurate.

After submission, the system automatically calculates your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on the details you’ve entered and assigns your profile a rank within the pool.

Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

The Canadian government conducts regular draws, typically every two weeks, to determine the minimum CRS score cut-off for Express Entry programs. If your CRS score meets or exceeds the cut-off, you will receive an ITA for PR.

After submitting your profile, be sure to track the Federal Skilled Trades Program draw results on the government website, as the cut-off scores can fluctuate. If your score aligns with the current cut-off, you will receive an ITA in your IRCC profile and an email notification with further instructions.

Submit your Permanent Residence (PR) application

Once you receive an ITA, you will have 60 days to submit your PR application or decline the invitation.

When applying, you’ll need to provide several key documents, including your language test results, Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), proof of your Canadian job offer or certificate of qualification, and employment reference letters. You may also need to submit additional documents, such as proof of settlement funds (to cover your living expenses in Canada for several months) and police certificates to confirm you don’t have a criminal background.

Before submitting your application, you must pay the application fees, which include the processing fee, right of permanent residence fee, and biometrics fee.

Get your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)

Once your PR application is received, the IRCC will review your submitted documents to ensure completeness. You will receive confirmation or instructions on any additional documentation that may be required. Depending on your case, you might be asked to undergo a medical examination at an authorized healthcare center before your application is approved.

After your application is approved, you will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and provided with next steps. If biometrics are needed, you’ll be asked to submit them (unless you’ve already submitted them for a Canadian visa in the past 10 years). If a visa is required to enter Canada, you’ll need to submit your passport for an immigrant visa stamp.

Do you need proof of settlement funds while immigrating to Canada through FSTP?

Most applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program will need to provide proof of settlement funds when submitting their PR application. However, you do not need to submit this proof if you meet one of the following conditions:

1. You have a valid full-time job offer from a Canadian employer that will last for at least one year from the time you receive permanent residency.
2. You already hold a valid Canadian work permit that allows you to legally work in Canada.

The required minimum amount of settlement funds is updated annually, so it’s crucial to check the government’s website for the latest figures.

Living costs in Canada can be high and vary depending on the city. The minimum settlement funds might not be enough to cover your first six months’ living expenses, depending on where you settle. You can use online tools to estimate your monthly expenses based on the city you plan to live in.

Do you need a Canadian job offer to apply for FSTP?

To apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and qualify for permanent residence (PR), most applicants must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. This offer must be full-time, paid, and for a minimum duration of one year (at least 30 hours of work per week).

The only exception to this requirement applies to individuals who hold a certificate of qualification in an eligible trade issued by a provincial or federal authority in Canada. This certificate indicates that the applicant has successfully passed the necessary certification exams, fulfilled other eligibility criteria, and is authorized to practice their trade in Canada.

What is the processing time for PR applications under FSTP?

The processing time for PR applications submitted through the FSTP is typically up to six months. This includes the time required for submitting your biometrics, but does not account for the time taken prior to submitting the permanent residence application.

However, the exact processing time may vary depending on several factors, such as the country of application, the completeness of your documents, and any potential backlogs in the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) system. For the most current information on processing times, it’s recommended to check the official government website.

What is the application fee for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

The application fee for FSTP is $1,365 per adult applicant. This fee includes an $850 processing fee and a $515 fee for the right to permanent residence. Applicants with children must also pay a $230 processing fee for each dependent child.

In addition to the application fees, you’ll also need to pay a biometric fee. If you’re applying as an individual, this fee is $85. For family applications involving two or more members, the biometric fee is $170.

Can I live anywhere in Canada if I qualify for PR through FSTP?

As a permanent resident of Canada, you have the right to live and move freely within the country, allowing you to reside in any province or territory. However, there’s an exception for those who qualify for PR through the FSTP: you must settle in a province or territory outside of Quebec. Quebec manages its own immigration programs through the Quebec Selected Worker (QSW) program, and individuals applying for PR through FSTP cannot settle in Quebec.

If you’re a skilled tradesperson, applying through the FSTP is one option to immigrate to Canada, but there are also other pathways available. Many provinces run Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that allow skilled tradespeople to apply for PR, even if their occupation isn’t listed under the FSTP. Additionally, exploring the QSW program and other immigration avenues for foreign nationals could provide more opportunities for immigration.

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