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Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a permanent residence pathway designed specifically for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada. It is managed through the Express Entry system and recognizes the critical value of skilled trades workers in the Canadian labour market. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and the highest-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the FSTP, you must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

• At least 2 years of full-time paid work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a skilled trade within the past 5 years
• Work experience must be in an eligible NOC TEER 2 or 3 trade occupation
• Meet the job requirements for the trade as set out in the NOC, except for any Canadian licensing requirement
• Have either a qualifying Canadian job offer of at least one year, or a certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority
• Meet the minimum language requirements (CLB 5 for speaking and listening; CLB 4 for reading and writing)
• Intent and ability to reside outside the province of Quebec

Eligible Trade Occupations

The FSTP covers a range of skilled trade occupations under specific NOC groups. Eligible trades fall into the following broad categories:

Language Requirements

The FSTP has lower minimum language thresholds than the Federal Skilled Worker Program, reflecting the practical nature of trade work. You must take an approved language test and achieve the following minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores:

• Speaking and Listening: Minimum CLB 5 in each ability
• Reading and Writing: Minimum CLB 4 in each ability
• English tests accepted: IELTS General Training or CELPIP General
• French tests accepted: TEF Canada or TCF Canada
• Higher language scores will significantly boost your CRS ranking

Work Experience

Your qualifying work experience must be in a skilled trade occupation listed under the eligible NOC groups. The experience must have been obtained within the five years prior to applying and must meet the full duties described in the NOC description.

• Minimum 2 years of full-time (1,560 hours/year) or equivalent part-time experience
• Experience must be paid — volunteer work does not qualify
• Experience can be from inside or outside Canada
• Must be in a single NOC trade or in multiple occupations within the same NOC major group

Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification

Unlike the FSWP, FSTP applicants must have either a valid Canadian job offer or a certificate of qualification in their trade. You do not need both — one is sufficient.

• Job Offer: Must be full-time, non-seasonal, and for at least one year from up to two Canadian employers in an eligible trade occupation
• Certificate of Qualification: Issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority, certifying that you have met the standards required to practice the trade in that province or territory
• The job offer does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for FSTP purposes

Settlement Funds

You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members when you arrive in Canada — unless you currently hold a valid work permit and have a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer. The required amounts are updated annually by IRCC and increase for each additional family member.

• Funds must be unencumbered, available, and transferable
• Bank statements or equivalent financial evidence required
• Not required if you hold a valid Canadian work permit with a qualifying job offer

How to Apply Through Express Entry

The FSTP application process is conducted through the federal Express Entry system:

• Step 1: Confirm eligibility — verify your NOC trade code, obtain language test results, and secure a job offer or certificate of qualification
• Step 2: Create an Express Entry profile through the IRCC online portal
• Step 3: Enter the Express Entry pool and receive a CRS score
• Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during a draw
• Step 5: Submit a complete permanent residence application within 60 days of receiving the ITA
• Step 6: Receive a decision — IRCC aims to process most complete applications within 6 months