Eligibility Criteria for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

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

1. Work Experience in a Skilled Trade

You must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time work) in a skilled trade within the last five years before applying. The work experience must be in an occupation listed under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 2 or 3, which includes trades such as:

• Technical Trades Contractors, Supervisors and workers in Industrial, Electrical, Construction, maintenance, heavy equipment and transport operation trades
• Workers in Construction, Building maintenance, Operators, Transportation, drillers & blasters. 
• Supervisors in Natural resources, agriculture & related Production 
• Occupations in Natural Resources and related Production 
• Processing, Manufacturing and utilities supervisors and utilities operators and controllers 
• Central Control and Process Operators, and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors

The skilled trade experience must be paid and cannot be from self-employment or volunteer work.

2. Job Offer or Certification

You must meet one of the following criteria:

• A valid job offer: You need a full-time job offer for at least one year from a Canadian employer in the skilled trade in which you have experience.
• A certificate of qualification: You need to have a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory. This certificate confirms that you meet the standards required to work in the specific trade in that region. If you don’t have this, a job offer will be required.

The job offer or certificate of qualification is not mandatory for all applicants, but having one will greatly enhance your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.

3. Language Proficiency

You must demonstrate your proficiency in either English or French by taking an approved language test. The required minimum language levels are:

• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for speaking and listening
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 for reading and writing

The most commonly accepted language tests are:

• English: IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• French: TEF (Test d’évaluation de français)

4. Education

The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not require a minimum level of education. However, applicants with secondary education (high school diploma) may still be eligible for the program.

• Education requirements: If you have completed your education outside Canada, you will need to have your credentials assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to ensure they are equivalent to Canadian standards.

Even though education isn’t mandatory, having post-secondary education or specialized trade education can help improve your CRS score under the Express Entry system.

5. Proof of Funds

To apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada, unless you already have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The required amount of funds depends on the size of your family. For example, as of 2025, the minimum required funds for one person is approximately CAD 14,690 for one person. For applicants with family, amount will increase.

How to Apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is part of the Express Entry system, so here’s how you can apply:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for the FSTP before you start your application. You will need to have the required work experience in a skilled trade, language proficiency, and, ideally, a job offer or certification of qualification from a Canadian province. Please submit our online FREE ASSESSMENT FORM to receive a free assessment from our licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant.

Step 2: Create an Express Entry Profile

If you meet the eligibility requirements, the next step is to create an Express Entry profile online. This profile will ask for detailed information about your skills, work experience, language proficiency, education, and other factors that will help determine your eligibility for the program.

We will submit your profile through our Authorized Paid Representative Portal. Once your profile is submitted, you will be placed in the Express Entry pool of candidates. Based on your information, you will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Canada regularly conducts draws from the Express Entry pool, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. If you meet the criteria for the FSTP and have a competitive CRS score, you may be invited to apply for permanent residency through a Federal Skilled Trades Program stream.

If you are invited to apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to submit your complete application for permanent residence.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Once you receive an ITA, you can submit your application for permanent residence. You will need to provide the following documents with your application:

• Proof of work experience
• Language test results (IELTS or TEF)
• Educational Credential Assessment (if applicable)
• Proof of funds (if you don’t have a job offer)
• Police certificates and medical exams
• A copy of your provincial certification (if applicable)

Step 5: Wait for Processing

The federal government processes most Express Entry applications within six months, but it can take longer depending on individual circumstances.

Step 6: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

If your application is successful, you will receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). This allows you to become a permanent resident of Canada.

Benefits of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

1. Faster Processing:
   The FSTP is part of the Express Entry system, which is one of the fastest ways to get permanent residency in Canada. The processing time for most Express Entry applications is around 6 months.
2. Job Opportunities:
   Skilled tradespeople are in high demand in Canada, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program gives you the opportunity to find work in a field where your skills are needed. Many employers are actively looking for skilled workers in trades like construction, manufacturing, and electrical work.
3. Pathway to Permanent Residency:
   The FSTP offers a clear and straightforward pathway to permanent residency in Canada, allowing you to live and work in the country with the potential to bring your family along.
4. Work Flexibility:
   Once you obtain permanent residency, you can work anywhere in Canada, and you’ll have access to social benefits like healthcare, education, and more.
5. Supporting Canadian Economy:
   Skilled tradespeople play a crucial role in Canada’s economy, particularly in industries such as construction, mining, and manufacturing. By applying through the FSTP, you are filling a significant need in Canada’s workforce.

• Being a Licensed and experienced Level 3 Canadian Immigration Consultant operating from Toronto, Canada, we understand the immigration procedures and requirements of all the Canadian Immigration streams. 
• We assist our trades Immigration clients first with their Canadian licensing as a trades person. 
• After securing Canadian Trades license, we submit their Express Entry profile strategically. 
• We understand submitting Express Entry profile seems biodata filling mostly. However, the 20% portion is technical and requires practical knowledge of the Canadian Immigration System, Immigration Act and Regulations, recent and current Immigration trends, and future forecasts. Being a licensed and experienced Immigration firm, we submit our client’s profiles tactically in order to maximise their invitation chances. 
• Allocating the appropriate NOC code is the most crucial factor in submitting the Express Entry Profile. With our knowledge and experience of Canadian job market and employment standards, we can better advise our clients and submit the appropriate NOC code to maximise the invitation chances. 
• With a dedicated emails that receives all clients’ updates, We remain vigilant to take any action requried on client profiles. 
• Our clients only do one job, viz, they retain our professional services. All the other work is done by us

Conclusion

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an ideal pathway for individuals who have experience in skilled trades and want to immigrate to Canada. If you have the required work experience, language skills, and either a job offer or certification from a Canadian province, you can apply for permanent residence through this program.

To increase your chances of being selected, ensure you:

• Meet all the eligibility criteria, including work experience, language proficiency, and job offer or certification.
• Create a strong Express Entry profile with competitive CRS points.
• Submit accurate and complete documentation during the application process.

The FSTP provides a valuable opportunity to skilled tradespeople looking to build a life in Canada while contributing to the country’s growing labor market needs.