Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2013 to offer a dedicated immigration pathway for skilled trades workers. This program is part of the Express Entry system, which is the main way Canada welcomes economic class skilled workers. Canada aims to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants annually, with approximately 110,000 spots allocated to Express Entry candidates.

Benefits of the FSTP

• The FSTP addresses labour shortages in trades occupations and supports Canada's economic growth by attracting skilled trades workers.
• Successful FSTP candidates can often obtain permanent residence within six months through Express Entry.
• FSTP candidates may have lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores compared to other Express Entry candidates, partly because they are not required to prove their level of education.
• Program-specific Express Entry draws occasionally invite only FSTP candidates, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
• A provincial nomination, which is worth an additional 600 CRS points, can significantly boost a candidate's chances of receiving an ITA.
• Canadian work experience provides candidates with additional CRS points and a competitive edge in the Canadian labour market.

How the Immigration Process Works

IRCC uses Express Entry to manage applications for the FSTP as well as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) programs. Here's a step-by-step guide to applying through the FSTP:

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the FSTP's eligibility criteria or the criteria of the FSWP or CEC program. Use CanadaVisa's free eligibility tool to verify your eligibility.
2. Language Testing: Complete an English and/or French language test recognized by IRCC. If you have studied abroad, consider obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment to claim additional CRS points.
3. Submit Profile: Create and submit your Express Entry profile on IRCC's website for free.
4. Monitor Draws: Follow IRCC's Express Entry draws, which typically occur every two weeks, to see if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
5. Apply for Permanent Residence: If you receive an ITA, submit your permanent residence application to IRCC within the specified deadline. The processing standard for most applications is six months or less.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the FSTP, you must:

• Have valid job offers for continuous, paid, full-time employment (at least 30 hours per week) from up to two employers in Canada for at least one year OR hold a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial body.
• Provide proof of basic language proficiency in English or French from a designated testing organization, meeting the minimum thresholds set by IRCC (Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing).
• Have obtained two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in the skilled trade within the five years prior to applying.
• Demonstrate that you have performed the essential duties of the occupation.

A certificate of qualification proves that a foreign national is qualified to work in a skilled trade occupation in Canada, having passed a certification exam or met all requirements to practice their trade in a specific province or territory.

Eligible Occupations

Eligible skilled work experience for the FSTP falls under the following categories of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

• Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction trades
• Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades
• Major Group 82: Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
• Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators
• Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks
• Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers

FSTP candidates must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec has its own immigration system. For more information about immigrating to Quebec, visit the Quebec Skilled Worker Program page.

If you are eligible for the FSTP, you may also qualify for category-based Express Entry draws, which provide additional opportunities to be invited for Canadian permanent residence.