Federal skilled trade

Immigrate to Canada as a Skilled Tradesperson

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is part of Canada’s Express Entry system and is tailored for skilled trades professionals seeking permanent residence in Canada.

With strong demand in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and food services, this program provides an efficient pathway for eligible candidates to settle and grow their careers in Canada.

Why Choose the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

  • High-demand occupations: Skilled trades play a vital role in Canada’s economy, offering consistent and long-term job opportunities.
  • No formal education required: Unlike many other immigration pathways, this program does not require a mandatory educational qualification.
  • Direct route to permanent residence: Eligible applicants and their families can obtain Canadian permanent residency through this program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Work Experience

  • A minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled trade, gained within the past five years.

Language Proficiency

  • English: CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing, or
  • French: NCLC 5 in speaking and listening, and NCLC 4 in reading and writing.

Job Offer or Trade Certification

  • A valid, full-time job offer for at least one year from a Canadian employer, or
  • A certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian province or territory.

Admissibility

  • Applicants must be legally admissible to Canada and intend to reside outside the province of Quebec.

Parents Sponsorship Canada – Income Requirements

To determine your eligibility to sponsor your parents or grandparents, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews your income for the last three taxation years. The assessment is based on your Notice of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) applies to selected National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups
NOC Group Category of Trades Examples
Major Group 72 Industrial, electrical, and construction trades such as electricians, plumbers, and welders Electricians, Plumbers, Welders
Major Group 73 Maintenance and equipment operation trades, including heavy-duty mechanics and crane operators Heavy-duty mechanics, Crane operators
Major Group 82 Supervisory and technical roles in natural resources, agriculture, and related industries, such as mining supervisors and oil & gas drillers Mining supervisors, Oil & gas drillers
Major Group 92 Supervisory positions and central control operators in processing, manufacturing, and utilities, including factory supervisors and power plant operators Supervisors in factories, Power plant operators
Minor Group 632 Culinary professions, including chefs and cooks such as head chefs and line cooks Head chefs, Line cooks
Minor Group 633 Food processing trades like butchers and bakers, including meat cutters and pastry chefs Meat cutters, Pastry chefs

Required Documents

Applicants are typically required to prepare the following documents:

  • A valid passport or travel document
  • Approved language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF)
  • Proof of relevant work experience (such as reference letters, employment contracts, or pay stubs)
  • A certificate of qualification or a valid job offer letter
  • Police clearance certificate(s)
  • Medical examination results
  • Proof of sufficient settlement funds

Application Process

1. Confirm Eligibility

Confirm that your trade experience and language proficiency meet program requirements.

2. Create an Express Entry Profile

Submit your profile and enter the candidate pool.

3. Receive a CRS Score

Your score is calculated based on factors such as age, language ability, and work experience.

4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Issued if your CRS score meets the required cutoff.

5. Submit the PR Application

Upload all required documents and pay the applicable fees within 60 days.

6. Permanent Residence Approval

Average processing time is approximately six months.

How Live Better Immigration Support You

  • Complimentary eligibility evaluation: Understand your chances before starting your application.
  • End-to-end application assistance: Complete support from document preparation to profile setup.
  • CRS score enhancement strategies: Maximize your points and improve your likelihood of receiving an ITA.
  • Professional expert support: Personalized guidance aligned with your trade, skills, and long-term career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is an official document issued by a Canadian province or territory that confirms you are qualified to work in a specific skilled trade in Canada. It is usually obtained after successfully passing a certification exam.

Yes. However, you must have a valid Canadian certificate of qualification in your trade.

No. Formal education is not required, but having it may help increase your CRS score.

Processing generally takes around six months after you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Yes. You can include your spouse or common-law partner, as well as dependent children, in your permanent residence application.
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