The Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP) is one of three skilled worker programmes managed under Canada’s Express Entry system.
Contents
Overview
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)introduced the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP) in 2013 to provide a dedicated immigration pathway for highly skilled tradespeople.
The FSTP is one of three federal economic programmes managed through theExpress Entrysystem operated by the Canadian government. Express Entry is Canada’s principal means of attracting skilled immigrants. Under theimmigration plan, Canada expects to welcome more than 400,000 immigrants each year, with an average of 110,000 places a year allocated to Express Entry.
Candidates may apply under the FSTP to immigrate to Canada as skilled tradespeople. Other options are also available, such as applying under aProvincial Nominee Program (PNP), other federal immigration programmes, or a Quebec programme.
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Benefits of the FSTP
The FSTP forms part of the federal and provincial strategy to attract highly skilled tradespeople and address labour shortages in the trades. With a low birth rate and an ageing population, Canada is increasingly reliant on immigration to support its labour market and economic growth.
Immigrating to Canada under the FSTP offers a number of advantages. Under Express Entry, successful FSTP candidates can generally obtain permanent residence within six months.
FSTP candidates may have aComprehensive Ranking System (CRS)score lower than that of other candidates in the Express Entry pool, because they are not required to demonstrate a level of education. However, IRCC sometimes holdsExpress Entry drawsspecifically for FSTP candidates. Entering the Express Entry pool improves the chances of obtaining permanent residence, particularly if the candidate secures a provincial nomination (PNP). A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
FSTP candidates with Canadian work experience enjoy a considerable advantage in the labour market. IRCC awards additional CRS points to candidates who have worked or studied in Canada.
A range of studies by the Canadian government and by academics show that Canadian work experience confers a significant advantage when applying for permanent residence. The knowledge, networks, experience and skills gained while working in Canada give candidates an edge in entering the labour market and building a stable career once they become permanent residents under the FSTP.
The FSTP application process
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the Express Entry system to manage skilled worker immigration applications under three skilled worker programmes, including the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP).
First, candidates must make sure they meet the requirements of the FSTP or of another Express Entry programme such asThe Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)orThe Canadian Experience Class (CEC). If eligible, candidates may create an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. On submitting the profile, candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on criteria such as age, education, language skills, work experience, and Canadian study and work experience.
IRCC usually holds an Express Entry draw every two weeks, in which the candidates with the highest CRS scores receive anInvitation to Apply (ITA)for permanent residence. After receiving an ITA, candidates have a set period in which to submit their permanent residence application. IRCC aims to process applications within six months.
A step-by-step guide to immigrating to Canada under the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP)
- Step 1:Check whether you meet the FSTP eligibility requirements.
- Step 2:If you meet the requirements of the FSTP or another Express Entry programme, complete an English and/or French language test recognised by IRCC. If you studied abroad in an eligible programme, you may claim additional CRS points by obtaining anEducational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Step 3:Submit a free Express Entry profile on the IRCC website athere.
- Step 4:Follow IRCC’s Express Entry draws to see whether you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. IRCC normally holds draws every two weeks.
- Step 5:If you receive an ITA, submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC within the time allowed. IRCC aims to process applications within six months or less for most candidates.
FSTP eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the FSTP, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a valid job offer from one or two Canadian employers for continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours per week) for at least one year, or hold a certificate of qualification issued by a province or territory.
- Provide proof of language ability from a language testing organisation recognised by IRCC, showing that the candidate meets the minimum thresholds: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Have at least two years of full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) in a skilled trade within the five years before applying.
- Be able to demonstrate the skills and experience required, and to show that they have performed all the essential duties of that occupation.
A Certificate of Qualification confirms that a foreign worker is qualified to work in a skilled trade in Canada. It is issued once the candidate passes a trade certification examination or meets all the requirements to practise the trade in a particular province or territory.
Work experience that qualifies for the FSTP falls within the following groups of theNational Occupational Classification (NOC) sau:
- Major Group 72: Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, covering industrial, electrical and construction trades.
- Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades.
- Major Group 82: Supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production.
- Major Group 92: Supervisors in processing, manufacturing and utilities, and central control operators.
- Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks.
- Minor Group 633: Bakers and butchers.
FSTP candidates must intend to live outside the province of Quebec, which operates its own immigration system for selecting skilled workers. If you intend to settle in Quebec, please refer to the information on theQuebec Skilled Worker Programme.
If you are eligible for the FSTP, you may also be eligible for a category-based Express Entry draw. Meeting the criteria for a category-based draw gives you a further opportunity to receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Candidates must sit an English or French language test with a testing organisation designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Minimum language requirements:
- Speaking and listening: at least CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French).
- Reading and writing: at least CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French).
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, your language test results must be less than two years old at the time you submit the application.
A certificate of qualification is a document confirming that an individual is qualified to practise a skilled trade in Canada. To obtain it, candidates must pass a certification examination and meet all the requirements to practise the trade in a particular province or territory.
Certificates of qualification are issued by thetrade regulatory bodyof the province or territory concerned, or by the competent federal authority.
Under Canada’s Constitution, the provinces and territories are responsible for education and training. This means they generally set the requirements for practising a skilled trade in their jurisdiction.
The trade regulatory body in the province or territory where you wish to work will assess your skills, work experience and training, and determine whether you are eligible to sit the certification examination.
You will usually need to travel to that province or territory in person to sit the certification examination. You may also need a Canadian employer to provide training and work experience before you are permitted to sit it.
Some trades do not fall under provincial or territorial jurisdiction (aircraft technicians, for example). In such cases your trade may be federally regulated. Detailed information on how trade credentials are assessed in Canada is available on the government website athere.
No. However, a job offer is mandatory if you do not hold a certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian province or territory.
A job offer is considered valid under the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP) if it is for full-time work from no more than two Canadian employers, totalling at least 30 hours per week. The job offer must be for a period of at least one year.
The job offer must normally be supported by aThe Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), although some exemptions apply. The LMIA is used by the federal government to verify that hiring a foreign worker will not have a negative effect on the Canadian labour market.
Under the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP), only work experience gained in a trade for which you were qualified to practise in the jurisdiction where you worked will count.
For example, if you were certified to practise a trade in one country and gained work experience there, then moved to another country to work, you may only count the work experience in the new country if you were also certified to practise by the competent authority there.
Applying through Express Entry improves your chances of obtaining permanent residence. Even with a low CRS score, you may still receive a provincial nomination while in the Express Entry pool. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through Express Entry.
Creating an Express Entry profile is also completely free. You can create an Express Entry profile and apply to other immigration programmes at the same time.
Ways to improve your CRS score include:
- Where possible, make your spouse or common-law partner the principal applicant if they have a higher CRS score.
- Secure a valid job offer.
- Claim every CRS point you are entitled to (for example, obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you hold an eligible foreign credential).
- Obtain an eligible Canadian academic credential and/or gain Canadian work experience.
- Prepare thoroughly for the English or French language test and retake it until you achieve the score you need.
Read about how to improve a CRS score athere.
Yes. Candidates must satisfy Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family (if applicable) after completing the immigration process as permanent residents of Canada. This requirement is waived, however, if the candidate is legally authorised to work in Canada and holds a valid job offer.
Further information on proof of funds is available athere.
Under Canada’s Constitution, the federal government shares responsibility with the provinces and territories for selecting and settling new immigrants.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages the overall immigration system, including Express Entry and programmes such as the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP).
In addition, the provinces and territories run their own selection programmes for skilled workers. Quebec operates a separate immigration system, while most other provinces and territories have aProvincial Nominee Program (PNP). Under these programmes, each province or territory may “nominate” candidates who meet its requirements. Once nominated, the candidate submits a permanent residence application, which is processed by IRCC.
There are two ways to obtain a provincial nomination. Candidates may apply directly to the PNP of a province or territory. Alternatively, if eligible for the FSTP or another programme, candidates may enter the Express Entry pool and may be invited by a province or territory to apply to its PNP. This adds 600 CRS points, making an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC through Express Entry all but certain.
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