What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

The candidates’ ability to have solid establishment economic-wise after Canadian immigration determines the eligibility of the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

As a requirement, the applicants must apply through the Express Entry System to express their interest to immigrate to Canada.

The Federal Skilled Trades program grants candidates with work positions or proper documentation to work in particular professions to attain Canadian permanent residency in Canadian provinces excluding Quebec.

If you are qualified in a skilled trade, you could easily get PR in Canada under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

If your occupation falls under any acceptable FST categories, this option for your immigration to Canada is probably the best

Processing times

Eighty percent of full applications are handled within 6 months or less.

Minimum Work Experience for FSTP

In order to be eligible, an applicant needs to show two years of work experience within the last five years under any of the acceptable skilled trade jobs. Also, your job duties must match the job duties an immigration officer expects under the job category you apply.

Minimum Language Requirements for Federal Skilled Trades Program

Only one of the below-mentioned tests must be taken and only one of the tests per language is enough to be taken.

• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program  (Only CELPIP General is acceptable. Don’t take General-LS)
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System (Only IELTS General is acceptable. Don’t take IELTS Academic)
• TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
• TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français

Note: The second language test is not mandatory. However, it could enhance your Express Entry CRS score significantly.

The following table shows the minimum scores under each ability of the test for the FSTP applicants.

Two ways: Job Offer or Certificate of Qualifications

To apply for the Federal Skilled Trades program an applicant should have either of these:

• A valid job offer under any of the FSTP job categories from a Canadian employer, OR
• A certificate of qualification issued by Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial authority

Other Requirements

Besides all the above-mentioned requirements for being eligible for CIC Federal Skilled Trades program, there are following factors that may affect your Express Entry CRS score:

• Age
• Education
• Work experience outside Canada
• Spouse or common-law partner’s education and knowledge of official languages
• Sisters or brothers who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and live in Canada

The majority of FSTP applicants do not receive enough CRS scores to compete with the CEC and FSWP applicants. That’s why the government of Canada usually runs special rounds of invitation (ITA) for the FSTP applicants twice a year. So if your points are not good enough, don’t get disappointed. You could have a chance within the next six months or so.

The government of Canada runs special rounds of invitation (ITA) for the FSTP applicants only a few times a year. Because the majority of FSTP applicants do not receive enough CRS score to compete with the CEC and FSWP applicants. If your points are not good enough, don’t get disappointed. You could have a chance within the next six months or so.

List of Jobs for the Federal Skilled Trades Program List

Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades

Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades

Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production

Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utility supervisors and central control operators

Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks

Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

If you wish to visit or move to Canada or if you have encountered any issues with the immigration authorities, you may book a consultation session to assess your potential opportunities or offer you immigration, visa, or citizenship advice.