Federal Skilled Trades Program - Express Entry - FSTP Canada
Federa Skilled Trades Program Canada – FSTP Canada 
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in Canada is a specialized immigration pathway designed to attract skilled workers in specific trade occupations to contribute to the country’s workforce. This program is part of the Express Entry system, which is a points-based immigration system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residence.The Federal Skilled Trades Program provides a pathway for individuals with valuable trade skills to become permanent residents of Canada and contribute to the country’s growing economy. As immigration policies are subject to change
Minimum Requirements
Skilled trades work experience
job offer or certificate of qualification
Language ability
Work Experience
1. Have accumulated a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in a skilled trade within the 5 years preceding your application.
2. Meet the job requirements for the skilled trade as outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
3. Demonstrate that you performed the duties specified in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC, including:
– All the essential duties.
– Most of the main duties.
Your work experience should fall within the following NOC groups:
– 72 Major Group : Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers (excluding Sub-Major Group 726: Transportation officers and controllers).
– 73 Major Group : General trades.
– 82 Major Group : Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture, and related production.
– 83 Major Group : Occupations in natural resources and related production.
– 92 Major Group : Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers.
– 93 Major Group : Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors (excluding Sub-Major Group 932: Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors).
– 6320 Minor Group : Cooks, butchers, and bakers.
– 62200 Unit Group : Chefs.
Ensure that your work experience aligns with the NOC group specified and that you can fulfill the criteria for the skilled trade.
Job Offer or Certification of Qualification
1. A valid job offer for full-time employment lasting at least 1 year, or
2. A certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
Certificate of Qualification:**
A certificate of qualification serves as evidence that you are qualified to work in a specific skilled trade in Canada. To obtain this certificate, you must meet the following criteria:
– Successfully pass a certification exam.
– Fulfill all requirements to practice your trade in the province or territory that issues your certificate.
This certificate is issued by either the provincial or territorial body governing trades in their respective region or a federal authority. The terminology for this certificate may vary, referred to as either a “certificate of qualification” or a “qualification certificate.”
Assessment Process:
To obtain a certificate of qualification, the provincial, territorial, or federal authority will assess your training, trade experience, and skills to determine your eligibility for taking a certification exam.
Provincial and Territorial Assessments:
Each province and territory in Canada has its own set of requirements and certification processes. You may need to:
– Visit the province or territory for a trade assessment.
– Secure an employer in Canada to provide you with the necessary experience and training.
For detailed information on the assessment process, refer to the website of the body governing trades in the province or territory where you intend to live and work. Visit the relevant website based on your chosen location:
– Alberta – British Columbia – Manitoba – New Brunswick – Newfoundland and Labrador – Northwest Territories – Nova Scotia – Nunavut – Ontario – Prince Edward Island – Saskatchewan – Yukon
**Federally Regulated Trades:**
If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory but falls under federal jurisdiction (e.g., airplane mechanics), determine the regulatory body for your trade. For guidance on assessment processes, refer to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
If the province or territory where you plan to reside and work does not issue certificates of qualification in your trade, you will need a valid job offer in your trade to meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
Language Ability
1. Take approved language tests covering writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills.
2. Achieve the minimum required score.
3. Record the test results in your Express Entry profile.
Key points about language tests:
– The test results remain valid for 2 years from the date of the test.
– The results must be valid on the day you submit your application for permanent residence.
Ensure you complete the necessary language tests, attain the required scores, and update your Express Entry profile accordingly to meet the language proficiency criteria for your Federal Skilled Trades Program application.
Education
Proof of Funds
Admissibility
The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not have an education requirement.
However, if you wish to enhance your ranking in the Express Entry pool, you can do so through two avenues:
1. If you attended school in Canada, you can earn points for a certificate, diploma, or degree obtained from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution.
2. For individuals with foreign education, points can be obtained by fulfilling both of the following criteria:
– Possession of a completed educational credential.
– Submission of an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes, which must be from a designated organization and demonstrate that your education is equivalent to a completed certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution.
This table shows the minimum amount need to immigrate to Canada as of April 25, 2023.
| Number of family members | Funds required (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional family member | $3,706 |
Being inadmissible under Canada’s immigration law means that certain individuals are not permitted to enter the country. The determination of admissibility will be made by a Canadian immigration officer either when individual apply for a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or upon your arrival at a port of entry.
Inadmissibility can be due to various reasons such as security concerns, criminal history, or medical issues. If you are deemed inadmissible, typically, you will not be allowed to enter Canada. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a valid and justified reason for your travel to Canada, you may be issued a temporary resident permit.
For individuals who have committed or been convicted of a crime, there are options available to overcome criminal inadmissibility. It’s important to address such issues to ensure a smoother immigration process.
Specifically, driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis, can lead to inadmissibility for serious criminality. In such cases:
– Entry or stay in Canada may be prohibited unless a temporary resident permit is issued.
– There is a processing fee of CAN$229.77 for the permit, and approval is not guaranteed.
Understanding and addressing the reasons for inadmissibility is crucial for those seeking entry into Canada, and exploring available options can help navigate the immigration process more effectively.