Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program: Unlock the Opportunities 

If you are skilled in plumbing, baking, construction, maintenance, or any other skills, the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program invites you to work and settle in Canada. It is one of the 3 Immigration programs that comes under the Canada Express Entry system. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) established the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program which gives a chance of immigration to skilled trade workers. It is a great program for those who want to gain Permanent Residence based on their skills. 

If you are someone who is skilled in trade and comes under the in-demand occupation list of Canada, then you can apply for this particular program. Under the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program, the government approves around 3000 candidates every year. Our professionals at IRA Immigration are here to provide all the essential details to you, keep on reading! 

Let us tell you that 3 programs come under the Canada Express Entry programs, these are:

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Canadian Experience Class or (CEC)
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program or FSWP

Talking specifically about the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program, the candidate must meet the requirements as per the National Occupational Classification. This is a great chance to live permanently and work in provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, etc. There are various things that you should know for applying PR for Canada via the Federal Skilled Trades Program:

  • There are more than 100 occupations on the list. 
  • An IELTS score is required, even the low ones. 
  • Candidates with low CRS, 199 points, can also apply for the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program. 
  • Take note that a valid job offer can get you extra CRS points. 

Now let's talk about the eligibility to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. 

Eligibility Requirement

1. The candidate must plan to live in any state except Quebec. 

2. The next step is to meet the language requirement which is CLB 5 for speaking and listening. Further, CLB 4 is for reading and writing. 

3. Also, the candidate must have 2 years of experience as a full-time working professional in any of the occupations listed, the occupation must be in a timespan of 5 years before applying. 

4. Further, the candidate must have an offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year or they should have a certificate of qualification issued by the provincial or territory body. 

Skilled Trades NOC groups  

Major group 72, includes electrical industrial construction trades

Major group 73, includes maintenance and equipment operation trades

Major group 82, includes supervision and Technical jobs in agriculture resources and related production

Major group 92, includes manufacturing processing in utility supervision

Major Group 93, includes central control and process operators, aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding the Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers, and aircraft assembly inspectors. 

Minor group 6320, includes cooks and chefs 

Required Documentations

  • Passport and travel history
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Identification proof
  • General application form
  • Fee payment slip
  • Education certificate, ECA verified
  • Scores from the IELTS exam and the CELPIP
  • Letter from the employer in Canada or reference letters from previous employers 
  • Proof of skill job performance
  • Fund verification for permanent settlement in Canada
  • Marital proof if moving with the spouse, etc.

Talking about the cost involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the application fee for the main candidates is 825 CAD. However, there are many conditions in which the fees vary from person to person like spouse/partner, dependent children, etc. 

The Process to apply for a Canadian PR visa via FSTP 

To apply for the Canada federal skilled trades program and gain the PR visa, follow the steps mentioned below! 

Step 1- The candidate has to ensure that they have 2 years of relevant work experience which is recognized as a skilled trade by the IRCC. 

Step 2- Make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for the Federal skilled trades program. 

Step 3- The next step is to make your Express Entry profile, along with all the necessary details. 

Step 4- Further, get an ITA in the express entry draw. 

Step 5- Now, it's time to submit your application for the PR visa. Summit all the documents properly. 

Step 6- This is a step where your application is reviewed by IRCC. 

Step 7- Get the confirmation for your PR. 

How can Ira Immigration help you?

Ira Immigration is a leading visa and immigration consultant company in Delhi and provides comprehensive end-to-end support to make sure that your application process is smooth. Our experts are here to help you throughout the immigration journey and to guide you with the complexity of documentation. With Ira Immigration, you can get services that include-

  • Documents checklist
  • Authoritative guidance and counseling 
  • Comprehensive application processing
  • Forms, documents, and application filing
  • Thorough updates and follow-ups, and much more. 

At Ira Immigration, our experts have helped many individuals to fulfill their dreams and you can be one of them. Contact us today with your requirements. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a immigration pathway for people who are skilled in specific trades and want to become permanent residents of Canada. It^s designed for tradespeople like electricians, welders, and carpenters who have work experience in their trade and meet other requirements set by the Canadian government.


To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada, you typically need to meet the following criteria:


1. Skilled Work Experience: Have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount in part-time) in a skilled trade within the five years before applying. Your work experience must be in a trade listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), Skill Level B.


2. Language Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking a language test recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).


3. Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification: Obtain a valid job offer for full-time employment of at least one year duration OR a Certificate of Qualification in the trade issued by a provincial or territorial authority.


4. Admissibility: Demonstrate that you are admissible to Canada, which includes factors such as not having a criminal record and being in good health.


Meeting these criteria and obtaining a competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Trades Program.


Several skilled trades are in demand in Canada due to labor shortages and the country^s growing economy. Some of the in-demand skilled trades in Canada include:


1. Electricians

2. Welders

3. Plumbers

4. Carpenters

5. Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

6. Industrial mechanics (millwrights)

7. Construction managers

8. Automotive service technicians

9. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technicians

10. Machinists


These trades are essential for various industries, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance. Canada^s aging workforce and ongoing infrastructure projects contribute to the demand for skilled tradespeople in these fields.


The main difference between the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) lies in the types of occupations they target and the eligibility criteria:


1. FSWP: The Federal Skilled Worker Program is designed for individuals who have skilled work experience in managerial, professional, or technical/skilled trades occupations. It targets individuals with non-trade occupations that require post-secondary education and relevant work experience.


2. FSTP: The Federal Skilled Trades Program is tailored for individuals who are skilled in specific trades occupations. It targets individuals with work experience in occupations classified under specific skilled trades categories listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.


While both programs are pathways to Canadian permanent residency, they have different eligibility requirements, including the types of occupations accepted and the specific criteria related to work experience, language proficiency, and education.


Yes, there are educational requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada. To be eligible for the FSTP, candidates typically need to have completed at least a Canadian high school diploma or a foreign equivalent. Additionally, candidates may need to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove the equivalency of their foreign education if required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).


No, applicants under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada are not required to show proof of funds as part of their application. Unlike some other immigration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which may require proof of settlement funds, the FSTP does not have this requirement. However, applicants must still demonstrate their ability to support themselves and any accompanying family members during their stay in Canada through means such as employment or sponsorship.


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