Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is targeted at skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on their being qualified in a skilled trade.

Applications for the FSTP are handled using the Express Entry system, alongside the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program. Candidates who want to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the FSTP must first create and submit an Express Entry profile. If their profile scores enough points, they will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Who can apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)?

In order to qualify to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades program, you should:

• have at least two years’ paid, full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years
  • you must have been sufficiently qualified to practice your trade in the country where you gained the work experience
• have worked in a skilled trade from one of the following specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups
  • Group 72 – technical trades, transportation officers and controllers
  • Group 73 – general trades
  • Groups 82 & 83 – natural resources production
  • Group 92 – processing and utilities
  • Group 93 – central control, process and aircraft assembly
  • Group 6320 – cooks, butchers, bakers
  • Group 62200 – chefs
• be prepared to demonstrate that your experience and aligns with the relevant occupation description in the NOC
• have either:
  • an offer of full-time work for at least one year; or
  • a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade which has been issued by a Canadian federal, territorial or provincial authority
• have passed an approved English or French language test within the last two years and been assessed at least:
  • CLB/NCLC level 5 for Speaking and Listening
  • CLB/NCLC level 4 for Reading and Writing
• be planning to live outside Quebec, which has its own skilled worker programs

You do not need to have a minimum level of education in order to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, you can gain additional points in the Express Entry pool for secondary and post-secondary education if you declare it.

What does the Federal Skilled Trades Program offer?

Successful applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program will be able to get permanent residence in Canada. Canadian permanent residents can:

• live, study or work anywhere in Canada
• access most social benefits on the same terms as Canadian citizens, including healthcare coverage
• use their permanent residence status as a starting point for applying for Canadian citizenship

How do I apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

In order to qualify to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you will first need to register a profile with the Express Entry system. Once you have filled out and submitted your profile, it will be assessed, scored and added to a pool along with other Express Entry applicants.

If your skills and experience gain you enough points, and your profile is judged to be most suitable for the FSTP (i.e. more than or instead of the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Worker Programs), you will be invited to submit a full application.

When using Express Entry, the system will determine what program you are most suited for. You can not indicate a preference for one program over another.

For more details on the Express Entry system and application process, please refer to our detailed Express Entry guidance. You can also get an estimate of your Express Entry score by using our Express Entry calculator, or by speaking with a member of our team.