A Step-By-Step Guide to Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Foreign skilled workers having skilled trades experience can become a permanent residents in Canada through Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Here is a comprehensive guide to Canada’s Federal Skilled Trades Program.

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What is Federal Trades Worker Program (FSTP)?

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is one of Canada’s three economic immigration programs. The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is for individuals who want to apply for permanent residency based on their qualifications in a skilled trade.

IRCC launched the Federal Skilled Trades Program in 2013 to help skilled workers with skilled trades backgrounds obtain Canadian permanent residency. The most important benefit of the FSTP is that candidates are not required to show any educational proof to qualify.

federal skilled trades program requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Federal Skilled Trades Program

To be eligible to apply for Canadian PR under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Minimum Work Experience

An applicant must have a minimum of 2 years full-time, or the equivalent of part-time work (3,120 hours), in a skilled trade within five years of applying.
The applicant must have performed the actions described in the lead statement and a substantial number of the primary duties listed in the NOC description of the occupation.
Applicants must have an offer of employment in Canada
It must be for at least one year of full-time work.
Occupation must be under the TEER 2 or TEER 3 category of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Must have wages and working conditions comparable to those offered to Canadians working in the occupation.
Up to two employers can make it.

A Certificate of Qualification from a provincial or territorial body.
To get a certificate, the provincial or territorial trades authority must assess your training, trade experience, and skills to decide if you are eligible to write an exam to be certified.

2. Language Requirements for the FSTP

The minimum language requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are based on Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs). There are four approved language tests, including IELTS, CELPIP, TCF and TEF. The FSTP candidates must obtain the following minimum scores to qualify:

At least CLB Level 4 in writing and reading tests (English or French)
At least CLB Level 5 in listening and speaking tests (English or French)

3. Education Requirements

No education requirement under Federal Skilled Trades Program
To earn points for education under Express Entry, applicants either need a Canadian post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree or a completed foreign credential with an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by IRCC.
The ECA must be less than five years old on the date of application.

4. Proof of Funds

Applicants must show proof of sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents once they arrive in Canada.
Applicants under this program are NOT required to show proof of settlement funds if:
- They are currently able to work legally in Canada.
- They have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

Step-by-Step Process for Federal Skilled Trades Program

Here is how you can apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program step-by-step.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility for FSTP

You must meet the Federal Skilled Trades Program Requirements to apply for the FSTP Express Entry. Start your assessment here if you want to check if you’re eligible.

Step 2: Education Assessment (ECA)

If you have completed an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) through one of the authorized organizations, you are eligible to claim FSTP CRS points for your education. One of the most well-known organizations permitted to issue ECA is WES.

Step 3: Language Proficiency Test (IELTS or Equivalent)

To obtain FSTP CRS points based on your Language Skills, you need to take tests like IELTS, CELPIP or equivalent French language tests.

Step 4: Express Entry Profile Creation

After completing your ECA and Language tests, you will get enough FSTP points to create an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Step 5: Receive ITA

Only candidates meeting the cut-off score requirements in the Latest FSTP Draw receive an invitation to apply. Once a candidate successfully receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they will get two months days to prepare and submit the Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

Step 6: Medical Exam and Police Verification (PCC)

After that, Federal Skilled Trades candidates must pass a medical exam and police clearance stage to move to the next process phase.

Step 7: Processing Stage

IRCC processes your application at this stage. A visa officer will let you know whether they require more paperwork to apply for Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Step 8: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)

Your FSTP application is ultimately approved by IRCC, and you are given a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR).

Step 9: Move to Canada

After that, you can move to Canada as a skilled trades worker.

Federal Skilled Trades Program Occupation List

The following major National Occupational Classification Groups classify skilled trade occupations eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program. All groups are from TEER 2 or TEER 3 of NOC 2021. You must provide evidence that you fulfilled the duties outlined in the NOC’s occupational description.

Group	TEER Code	NOC Code	Occupation
Major Group 72	2	72010	Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
	2	72011	Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
	2	72012	Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
	2	72013	Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
	2	72014	Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
	2	72020	Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
	2	72021	Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
	2	72022	Supervisors, printing and related occupations
	2	72023	Supervisors, railway transport operations
	2	72024	Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
	2	72025	Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
Major Group 73	3	73100	Concrete finishers
	3	73101	Tilesetters
	3	73102	Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
	3	73110	Roofers and shinglers
	3	73111	Glaziers
	3	73112	Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
	3	73113	Floor covering installers
	3	73200	Residential and commercial installers and servicers
	3	73201	General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
	3	73202	Pest controllers and fumigators
	3	73209	Other repairers and servicers
	3	73300	Transport truck drivers
	3	73301	Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
	3	73310	Railway and yard locomotive engineers
	3	73311	Railway conductors and brakemen/women
	3	73400	Heavy equipment operators
	3	73401	Printing press operators
	3	73402	Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
Major Group 82	2	82010	Supervisors, logging and forestry
	2	82020	Supervisors, mining and quarrying
	2	82021	Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
	2	82030	Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
	2	82031	Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
Major Group 92	2	92010	Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
	2	92011	Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
	2	92012	Supervisors, food and beverage processing
	2	92013	Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
	2	92014	Supervisors, forest products processing
	2	92015	Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing
	2	92020	Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling
	2	92021	Supervisors, electronics and electrical products manufacturing
	2	92022	Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing
	2	92023	Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing
	2	92024	Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly
	2	92100	Power engineers and power systems operators
	2	92101	Water and waste treatment plant operators
Major Group 93	3	93100	Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
	3	93101	Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
	3	93102	Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
Minor Group 6320	3	63200	Cooks
	3	63201	Butchers - retail and wholesale
	3	63202	Bakers
Unit Group 62200	2	62200	Chefs

Federal Skilled Trades Program Processing Time

Express Entry has the quickest processing times out of all the Canadian immigration programs. Federal Skilled Trades Program processing time is between 6-8 months, but due to the Covid-19 crisis, the processing times can go up to 26 months. You can examine the most recent Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) processing time here.

Federal Skilled Trades Program Proof of Funds

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) must show that they can support themselves and their families after immigrating to Canada. The number of family members you specified on your application will determine the amount of money required for settlement. For the amount required, dependent on the size of your family, please see the table below.

Number of family members (in Canadian dollars)	Funds required
1	$14,690
2	$18,288
3	$22,483
4	$27,297
5	$30,690
6	$34,917
7	$38,875
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member	$3,958

Federal Skilled Trades Application Fees

The application processing fee for the Federal Skilled Trades Program is as follows:

Application processing fee – CAD 850
Right of Permanent Residence fee – CAD 515
With Spouse or partner – CAD 850
With a dependent child – CAD 230 (per child)

How ELAAR can help you?

Book a consultation with our lice if you need assistance with your Federal Skilled Trades Programnsed experts. Our senior consultant Mr. Keshav Sharma, is an RCIC with many years of immigration experience and can assist you to apply for your Federal Skilled Trades Program. Contact our experts to maximize your odds of receiving an Invitation to Apply.