The Federal Skilled Trades Program, What Is It?

The FSTP is a pathway to help skilled trade workers live permanently in Canada. This pathway applies only to Skill level B (NOC B).

To be eligible the candidate must have at least two years of skilled work experience during the five years before applying. The minimum required CLB is 5 for speaking and listening and 4 for reading and writing on an English or French language test.

Proof of Funds may also be needed.

The minimum two years of paid, full-time work experience (or an equivalent of part-time) can fall into any of the following major groups under NOC B:

• 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 utility supervisors and central control operators
• Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
• Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

As per proof of funds, the following amounts are required to be shown from a bank account:

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Eligibility Criteria

FSTP is an immigration program that helps skilled trades workers become permanent residents of Canada. It is faster than many other pathways and you can find a job easier with this program. However, you need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for this program.

The eligibility criteria for Federal Skilled Trades Program includes: 

Eligible trades: FSTP only focuses on special trades that are under certain National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. These include areas such as industrial, electrical, cooking, butchering, baking, agriculture, construction, etc. 

Your work experience must be in one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups with a few exceptions:

• Major group 72
• Major group 73
• Major group 82
• Major group 83
• Major group 92
• Major group 93
• Minor group 6320
• Unit Group 62200

Work experience: You need to show proof of at least two years of full-time (or the equivalent amount of part-time) employment in your skilled trade in the last five years. 

Job offer or certification: You need to show a valid job offer for a full-time job in Canada for at least one year or obtain a certificate of qualification in your trade from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority. You are not obliged to show both of them.

Although having a job offer is not mandatory, it can boost your score by up to 200 points. So, consider providing one if you can.

Language requirements: You must provide proof of proficiency in English or French to apply for FSTP. The required score is a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 level for speaking and listening and 4 for reading and writing either in English or French.

For English, the CELPIP, IELTS, or PTE results are accepted. If you are taking the IELTS, a minimum of 5 in speaking and listening, 3.5 in reading, and 4 in writing is required. If you are showing a French language test result, TEF or TCF are accepted. 

Your test results should be valid at the time you apply and it should not expire under one year. If your rest results are going to expire soon, you need to re-take them. 

Education: Proof of education is not mandatory. However, you can earn extra points by showing a high school diploma or other proof of education. You can get additional points by getting a certificate from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary education. 

If you have not completed your education in Canada, you can still get additional points by proof of education.

In this case, you need to provide an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes. The assessment report should show your education is equal to a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.

Proof of funds: You need to prove that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada. You do not need to show proof of funds if you already can legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer. 

The proof of funds requirements may change every year. However, in 2024, it is nearly CAD 14000 for one person, CAD 17000 for two people, CAD 21000 for three people, and so on. 

The funds need to be readily accessible, like cash or liquid assets. You can not show ownership documents of vehicles or real estate as proof of funds. 

Consult a lawyer before submitting your application to ensure you are eligible for the Federal Skilled Trade Program.

The Federal Skilled Trade Program Advantages

If you are a skilled trades worker, you can benefit from various advantages of the FSTP. It provides a unique opportunity to settle in Canada and pursue your career without needing an academic education. 

No need for proof of education: Unlike many other immigration programs you are not required to provide a high school education. However, providing one can increase your overall Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. 

To get additional points, you must provide proof of education in Canada, or an assessment proving your education equals a Canadian high school degree. 

Minimum language proficiency requirement: Unlike other immigration programs, a minimum of 5 levels of speaking and listening and 4 levels of reading and writing make you eligible to apply for this program. You can get to this level with 6 months of intense study, even if you are a beginner. 

Either English or French are accepted. You can choose your language depending on your background and familiarity with the language.

Faster process: Applications for the Federal Skilled Trade Program are processed faster, often within six months. So you can settle in Canada faster than many other pathways such as family sponsorship, provincial nominee program, federal skilled worker program, etc.

Increased job opportunity: Canada has a high demand for skilled trades workers, especially in areas such as construction. This enables you to find a job faster in Canada. 

Ability to include family members: You can include your family members including your spouse and dependent children in your application. If your case is approved, your family members will get their visas at the same time and you can move to Canada together.

Ability to settle in different provinces: With the FSTP you can settle and work in most Canadian provinces except Quebec, which has a separate system. 

Ability to apply for citizenship: As an FSTP applicant, after gaining your permanent residency, you can finally apply for Canadian citizenship and access the full rights and benefits of a Canadian citizen. 

The Federal Skilled Trades Program process

After ensuring that you are eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must create an express entry profile. Follow the instructions to create your profile (if you don’t already have one) and enter your personal information. 

You do not need to upload documents to create your profile. However, you may need to enter certain information such as your language test results, your NOC job title, and code (if you have one). 

Once you submit your profile, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as your age, experience, certificates, and language proficiency. 

Candidates with the highest CRS scores will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. 

After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a full application for permanent residency. This application must include all your documents, including proof of work experience, proof of funds (if required), medical exams, and other supporting documents.

Then your applications will be reviewed by Canadian immigration authorities. If approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). This allows you to enter Canada as a permanent resident and settle in your selected province. 

Upon arrival, you need to activate your PR status at a Canadian port. After that, you are eligible to settle and work in Canada and have access to health care.

Can those with a criminal background or medical issues apply to the FST program?

A health and criminal background check is required to apply for the FSTP. If you have a criminal record, you may be inadmissible to Canada. However, if enough time has passed after doing your sentence, you may be able to apply for rehabilitation to show you are no longer a risk.

Passing a medical check is required to ensure you do not pose a public health risk or enforce excessive demand on Canada’s health service. 

However, depending on the nature and severity of your health condition, you may not be disqualified to apply. 

Typically, people with contagious diseases such as untreated AIDS may be disqualified. Also, serious conditions such as serious kidney disease, severe disability, and advanced diabetes may lead to inadmissibility.

Do applicants need a job offer to apply to the FST Program?

No, showing a job offer is not mandatory for a Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, providing a valid job offer can boost your CRS score by up to 200 points.

The offer should be for a full-time position for at least one year.  Depending on the seniority of the job offer, you may gain 50 or even 200 extra points on your CRS score.

Are language results required to apply?

Yes, you need to provide your language test results in your express entry profile and you must meet the minimum required results. Your language test results must meet at least CLB level 5 in speaking and listening and at least level 4 in reading and writing in English or French.

Is there an age limit to the FST program?

There is no age limit to apply for the FSTP. You can apply at any age if you meet other criteria. However, you can gain extra points for your age. 

Candidates between 20 to 29 will receive the highest point. Points for age decrease for candidates over 30 and candidates over 45 will not receive any points.

How much does it cost to apply to the FST program?

The cost of application for the Federal Skilled Trades Program includes several fees and the total cost may vary depending on where you are applying from and some other circumstances. 

The primary application fee is a total of CAD 1,365, including CAD 515 for the permanent residence application and CAD 850 for the right of permanent residence. 

If you are including your family members, you need to pay an extra fee per person, which is an extra CAD $1365 for a spouse or common-law partner and CAD 230 for a child.

The biometrics fee is CAD 85 per person. Also, there are additional costs that may vary depending on where you are applying from. These include: 

• Language tests
• Educational credential assessment (if required)
• Medical examination
• Police certificates

Other factors may result in extra costs: 

• Extra tests may be needed in your medical examination.
• You may need to provide metrics several times. 
• You may need to translate some documents into English or French.
• You may need to provide extra documents that can result in extra costs.
• You may want to consult a lawyer. 
• You may need to travel to a certain location for your language tests, medical exams, or police certificates. 

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