Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Eligibility Criteria
Since its introduction in 2013, the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) has provided a pathway for skilled trade professionals from around the world to immigrate to Canada.
The FSTP is one of the three skilled immigration programs managed through Canada’s Express Entry system. This guide provides an overview of the program and important details you should know about the FSTP.
Table of Contents
Overview
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2013 to create a dedicated immigration route for individuals working in skilled trades occupations.
The FSTP is one of three federal economic immigration programs managed through Canada’s Express Entry system. Express Entry serves as Canada’s primary selection system for skilled economic immigrants. Through its Immigration Levels Plan, Canada seeks to admit more than 400,000 new permanent residents each year, with approximately 110,000 spots typically allocated through Express Entry.
For skilled trades professionals, the FSTP is one pathway to Canadian immigration. Other options may include federal immigration programs, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or immigration streams specific to Quebec.
Benefits of the FSTP
The Federal Skilled Trades Program was developed to help address labour shortages in trade occupations across Canada. Due to an aging population and declining birth rates, Canada increasingly relies on immigration to support economic growth and workforce demands. Skilled trades remain one of the sectors experiencing strong demand.
Applying through the FSTP offers several advantages. Successful candidates entering through Express Entry are often able to receive permanent resident status within approximately six months.
Compared to other Express Entry applicants, FSTP candidates may sometimes have lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores because educational qualifications are not a mandatory requirement. However, IRCC occasionally conducts program-specific draws that focus only on FSTP candidates, creating additional opportunities for selection.
Joining the Express Entry pool can also increase the possibility of obtaining permanent residence through a provincial nomination. A provincial nomination provides an extra 600 CRS points, significantly improving the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Candidates with previous Canadian work experience may also gain advantages. Express Entry awards additional CRS points for work and study experience obtained in Canada.
Research conducted by government organizations and academic institutions indicates that Canadian experience often helps immigrants integrate more successfully into the labour market. The knowledge, skills, professional networks, and practical experience developed while working in Canada can strengthen long-term employment opportunities after obtaining permanent residence.
How Immigration Through the FSTP Works
IRCC manages skilled worker applications through Express Entry, which includes the Federal Skilled Trades Program among its economic immigration streams.
The process begins by determining whether you qualify for the FSTP or another Express Entry program such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Eligible applicants can then create an Express Entry profile through IRCC’s online system.
Once a profile is submitted, applicants receive a CRS score based on several factors, including:
- Age
- Education
- Language proficiency
- Work experience
- Canadian work experience
- Canadian education
IRCC generally conducts Express Entry draws every two weeks, inviting candidates with competitive CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.
Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must submit a complete application before the specified deadline. Processing times for most applications are generally targeted at six months or less.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm whether you meet the eligibility requirements of the FSTP or another Express Entry pathway.
Step 2: Complete an approved English and/or French language examination. Applicants with foreign education may also wish to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to receive additional CRS points.
Step 3: Create and submit your Express Entry profile online.
Step 4: Monitor Express Entry invitation rounds to determine whether you receive an ITA. Draws are commonly held every two weeks.
Step 5: If you receive an invitation, submit your permanent residence application within the required timeline. IRCC generally aims to finalize most applications within six months.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
- Possess either a valid offer of continuous paid full-time employment (minimum 30 hours weekly) from up to two Canadian employers for at least one year, or hold a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial authority.
- Meet minimum language requirements established by IRCC through an approved language exam:
- CLB 5 for speaking and listening
- CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Have completed at least two years of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time work, in a skilled trade within the last five years.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform the required duties and possess relevant experience in the occupation.
A certificate of qualification confirms that an individual meets the requirements needed to practice a skilled trade in Canada. This usually involves passing certification examinations or fulfilling provincial or territorial standards.
Eligible Skilled Trade Categories
Work experience that qualifies under the FSTP generally falls under the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups:
- Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction trades
- Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Major Group 82: Supervisory and technical occupations in natural resources and agriculture
- Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing, and utility supervisors and central control operators
- Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks
- Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers
Applicants under the FSTP must intend to settle outside Quebec, as Quebec manages its own immigration selection process through separate programs.
Candidates who qualify for the FSTP may also meet requirements for category-based Express Entry selections, providing additional opportunities to receive permanent residence invitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What language requirements must I meet for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)?
Applicants must complete an approved English and/or French language exam from a testing organization recognized by IRCC.
The minimum language requirements are:
- Speaking and Listening: CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French)
- Reading and Writing: CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French)
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, your language test results must still be valid and cannot be more than two years old when your application is submitted.
What is a certificate of qualification under the FSTP?
Your main available options are:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) through Express Entry
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) through Express Entry, if you work in a skilled trade
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program, if you intend to live in Quebec
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Other relevant federal immigration pathways
If you have received a job offer, the next step is to ensure you obtain the appropriate visa before traveling to Canada.
Also, some provinces may have their own immigration streams for candidates who have a job offer in that specific province.
How can I obtain a certificate of qualification for the FSTP?
If you have a family member or close relative in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence through a Family Class immigration program.
Having a friend in Canada can also be helpful, as some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) award additional points for established connections to the province. For instance, if you have a friend in Manitoba who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may gain extra points under the Manitoba Skilled Worker Immigration Stream.
Furthermore, when applying through Express Entry, you can receive additional points if you have a sibling living in Canada at the time of your application, as long as the sibling is 18 years of age or older.
Is a job offer required under the FSTP?
If you have at least one year of work experience in Canada, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system. Canadian work experience can also earn you extra points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) if you are applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
If your experience was gained in Quebec, you may instead be eligible through the Quebec Experience Class.
Your main options include:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) through Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) through Express Entry, if you work in a skilled trade
- Quebec Experience Class
Additionally, having Canadian work experience significantly improves your immigration opportunities, as many Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams give preference to candidates with experience in Canada.
What qualifies as an eligible job offer for the FSTP?
If you have owned or managed a business, this experience may make you eligible for various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) business immigration streams, as well as entrepreneur and investor programs offered by both the Government of Canada and the province of Quebec.
What type of work experience can be counted toward the two-year FSTP requirement?
If you have a high net worth and plan to continue your career or invest in Canada, there are several immigration pathways that may be available to you. These programs aim to support the Canadian economy by requiring applicants to make investments in Canada or Quebec, or to use their business ownership or management experience to establish and run a business in Canada or Quebec.
Many provinces also provide business and investment immigration streams through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
In addition, you may explore Business Investor and Entrepreneur immigration programs. These are offered by both the federal government and Quebec, and they provide strong opportunities to obtain Canadian permanent residence through investment or entrepreneurship.
Should I apply through the FSTP even if my CRS score is low?
If you have a high net worth and plan to continue your career or invest in Canada, there are several immigration pathways that may be available to you. These programs aim to support the Canadian economy by requiring applicants to make investments in Canada or Quebec, or to use their business ownership or management experience to establish and run a business in Canada or Quebec.
Many provinces also provide business and investment immigration streams through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
In addition, you may explore Business Investor and Entrepreneur immigration programs. These are offered by both the federal government and Quebec, and they provide strong opportunities to obtain Canadian permanent residence through investment or entrepreneurship.
How can I increase my Express Entry CRS score for the FSTP?
If you have a high net worth and plan to continue your career or invest in Canada, there are several immigration pathways that may be available to you. These programs aim to support the Canadian economy by requiring applicants to make investments in Canada or Quebec, or to use their business ownership or management experience to establish and run a business in Canada or Quebec.
Many provinces also provide business and investment immigration streams through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
In addition, you may explore Business Investor and Entrepreneur immigration programs. These are offered by both the federal government and Quebec, and they provide strong opportunities to obtain Canadian permanent residence through investment or entrepreneurship.
Do I need proof of funds if I receive a permanent residence invitation through the FSTP?
Yes. Applicants are generally required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members after arriving in Canada.
However, this requirement may be waived if you already have authorization to work in Canada and possess an eligible job offer.
What is a provincial nomination and how can I obtain one?
Yes. Applicants are generally required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family members after arriving in Canada.
However, this requirement may be waived if you already have authorization to work in Canada and possess an eligible job offer.
