Canada, renowned for its high standard of living, welcoming atmosphere, and vibrant multicultural landscape, is a prime destination for skilled workers seeking to start anew. One of the most popular ways for foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada is through the Express Entry system. Within this system, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) offers a distinct pathway for individuals with expertise in a wide range of skilled trades.

If you’re a tradesperson with qualifications and work experience in a skilled trade, the FSTP might be your ticket to Canadian permanent residency. This program is tailored to those with practical skills in specific trades, such as electricians, plumbers, and welders, among others. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Federal Skilled Trades Program and how you can navigate the Express Entry process to achieve your Canadian immigration goals.

What is Express Entry?

Before we dive into the specifics of the Federal Skilled Trades Program, let’s first understand the Express Entry system. Express Entry is the Canadian immigration system used to manage applications for permanent residency from skilled workers. The system is based on a point-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates candidates based on their skills, work experience, education, language proficiency, and other factors.

Express Entry consists of three primary programs:

Each of these programs has its own eligibility requirements, but the FSTP is the one that specifically caters to skilled tradespeople.

Find Your Future in Canada Via the Federal Skilled Trades Program

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Canada is known for its robust economy, high quality of life, and diverse job opportunities, making it an attractive destination for skilled workers around the world. If you have expertise in a skilled trade, the Federal Skilled Trades Program offers a streamlined pathway to Canadian permanent residency. This program is specifically designed for individuals with hands-on experience in trades such as electricians, plumbers, welders, chefs, and more. Through the Express Entry system, the FSTP allows qualified tradespeople to apply for permanent residency in Canada, based on a comprehensive point system that evaluates your skills, work experience, and language proficiency.

Canada has a growing demand for skilled tradespeople, particularly in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture, creating ample job opportunities for those who meet the criteria. As a successful applicant, you could enjoy the benefits of living and working in a country that values your trade, with access to excellent healthcare, education, and a safe, welcoming environment. The FSTP provides a clear path to permanent residency, offering a quicker processing time and potential additional benefits such as an open work permit for your spouse or common-law partner. If you have the qualifications and experience in a skilled trade, the Federal Skilled Trades Program might just be your ticket to a prosperous future in Canada.

Key Eligibility Requirements for the FSTP

Work Experience

You must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent part-time experience) in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply. This experience must be in one of the skilled trades that is listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list. The eligible trades fall into the following categories:

  • Major Group 72: Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers. This excludes Sub-Major Group 726 for transportation officers and controllers
  • Major Group 73: General trades
  • Major Group 82: Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
  • Major Group 83: Natural resources and related production occupations
  • Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
  • Major Group 93: Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • Minor Group 6320: Cooks, butchers and bakers
  • Unit Group 62200: Chefs
  • Other Groups: Groups that may have a few specialized roles

Job Offer or Certification

You must either have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in your skilled trade or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

A certificate of qualification demonstrates your competency to practice a specific skilled trade in Canada. This certification confirms you have:

  • Successfully completed a certification examination
  • Satisfied all requirements to work in your trade within the issuing province or territory

The document may be referred to as either a "certificate of qualification" or a "qualification certificate," depending on the issuing authority. To obtain certification, the relevant authority must evaluate your training, work experience and technical abilities to determine your eligibility for the certification examination.

Each province and territory maintains its own:

  • Qualification certificate standards
  • Certification procedures

You might need to:

  • Travel to the specific province or territory for trade assessment
  • Secure employment in Canada for gaining experience and training

For detailed assessment information, check the website of your chosen province or territory's trades governing body:

  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon

If your intended province or territory doesn't issue qualification certificates for your trade, you must obtain a valid job offer in your trade to qualify for this program.

For trades not regulated provincially or territorially, federal regulation may apply (such as aircraft maintenance technicians).

Language Proficiency

You need to meet the minimum language proficiency requirements in either English or French. You will have to take approved language tests that assess your:

  • Writing skills
  • Reading comprehension
  • Listening abilities
  • Speaking capabilities

You must achieve the required minimum score and include your test scores when completing your Express Entry profile. Note that your language test results remain valid for two years from the test date and must be current when submitting your permanent residence application.

Education

The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not have any educational prerequisites. To enhance your Express Entry pool ranking, you have two options.

For Canadian education, points are awarded for completing a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary school (high school) or post-secondary institution.

For international education, points are awarded if you possess both a completed educational credential and an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes that comes from an authorized organization. This must confirm your education equivalency to a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary credential.

Proof of Funds

You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family when settling in Canada, except if you:

  • Currently have authorization to work in Canada and
  • Possess a valid employment offer from a Canadian employer

Applying to the FSTP

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Once you determine that you meet the eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the next step is to submit your profile to the Express Entry pool. Here's how it works.

Step 1: Create an Express Entry Profile

You must first create an online profile, providing details about your skills, work experience, education, language proficiency, and other factors that impact your eligibility.

Step 2: Get Your CRS Score

Based on the information you provide, you will receive a CRS score. The CRS score is used to rank you against other candidates in the Express Entry pool. Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residency during draws that are held regularly by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you meet the cutoff score in a particular Express Entry draw, you will receive an ITA. Once you have an ITA, you can submit a full application for Canadian permanent residency. The application process includes submitting proof of work experience, language test results, medical exams, police certificates, and other supporting documents.

Step 4: Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency

If your application is successful, you will be granted Canadian permanent residency in Canada. After that, you can live and work anywhere in Canada and enjoy all the rights and privileges of a Canadian citizen, with the exception of voting.

Advantages of the Federal Skilled Trades Program

The FSTP offers many advantages to qualified tradespeople looking to immigrate to Canada. We take a look at how you stand to benefit from this pathway to the land of maple leaves.

Shorter Processing Times

One of the key benefits of the Express Entry system is the relatively quick processing times for applications. Most applications are processed within six months from the date of submission.

Open Work Permit for Spouse

If you are selected for permanent residency under the FSTP, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit. This allows them to work for any employer in Canada while waiting for your permanent residency status to be finalized.

Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency

The FSTP provides a clear pathway to permanent residency in Canada, which allows you to live, work, and study in Canada permanently.

Job Opportunities

Canada has a strong demand for skilled tradespeople across various sectors, including construction, industrial maintenance, and agriculture. This means there is a high likelihood of finding a job in your field once you arrive in Canada.

Settlement Services

Once you become a permanent resident, you can access government-funded settlement services that help you integrate into Canadian society. These services may include job search assistance, language training, and help with finding housing.

Tips for Success in the FSTP Process

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To maximize your chances of success in the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) process, it’s important to approach your application with careful planning and attention to detail. While the eligibility criteria are clear, there are several key strategies that can help you strengthen your application and improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). These tips will help ensure that your application stands out and meets all the necessary requirements for success.

Improve Your Language Skills

While the minimum language requirement for the FSTP is modest, improving your language proficiency can significantly boost your CRS score. Even a small increase in your test results could make a big difference in the success of your application.

Ensure Your Work Experience is Well-Documented

When applying through the Express Entry system, it’s essential to provide accurate and detailed documentation of your work experience. Make sure to have references from previous employers, official job descriptions, and records that clearly show your expertise and the time you’ve spent in your trade.

Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

If you don’t meet the cutoff score for Express Entry, you may still be able to immigrate through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Many provinces in Canada have specific PNP streams designed for skilled tradespeople.

Stay Updated on the CRS Cutoffs

The CRS cutoff score can fluctuate based on the number of applicants in the pool and the specific needs of the Canadian labor market. Stay updated on the latest draw results and ensure your profile remains current.

FAQs

What Does It Mean to Be Inadmissible to Canada?

Being "inadmissible" means that a person is not allowed to enter Canada under its immigration laws. Some individuals may be deemed inadmissible for reasons such as criminal activity, security concerns, health issues, or misrepresentation. A Canadian immigration officer will determine inadmissibility either when you apply for a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), or when you arrive at a port of entry. This decision is based on the information provided in your application or at the time of arrival.

Where in Canada Can I Live if I Apply to the FSTP?

You must be set to live in any Canadian province, except Quebec. If you plan on living in Quebec, you will have to find a program specific to this province.