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.

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.

How to Immigrate to Canada through the FSTP?

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 Points Calculator
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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.

OR

  • 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.

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.

GroupTEER CodeNOC CodeOccupation
Major Group 72272010Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
272011Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
272012Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
272013Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
272014Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
272020Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
272021Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
272022Supervisors, printing and related occupations
272023Supervisors, railway transport operations
272024Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
272025Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
Major Group 73373100Concrete finishers
373101Tilesetters
373102Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
373110Roofers and shinglers
373111Glaziers
373112Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
373113Floor covering installers
373200Residential and commercial installers and servicers
373201General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
373202Pest controllers and fumigators
373209Other repairers and servicers
373300Transport truck drivers
373301Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
373310Railway and yard locomotive engineers
373311Railway conductors and brakemen/women
373400Heavy equipment operators
373401Printing press operators
373402Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
Major Group 82282010Supervisors, logging and forestry
282020Supervisors, mining and quarrying
282021Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
282030Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
282031Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
Major Group 92292010Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
292011Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
292012Supervisors, food and beverage processing
292013Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
292014Supervisors, forest products processing
292015Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing
292020Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling
292021Supervisors, electronics and electrical products manufacturing
292022Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing
292023Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing
292024Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly
292100Power engineers and power systems operators
292101Water and waste treatment plant operators
Major Group 93393100Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
393101Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
393102Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
Minor Group 6320363200Cooks
363201Butchers - retail and wholesale
363202Bakers
Unit Group 62200262200Chefs

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 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$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

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.

FAQS: Federal Skilled Trades Program

What is the difference between FSTP and FSWP?

In FSTP, you can immigrate to Canada without any degree or education but it is not possible in FSW. You need a job offer in case of FSTP, while FSW candidates can immigrate without one. Source: FSTP vs FSWP

Where can I find Federal Skilled Trades Program Occupation List?

All the FSTP jobs are organized under Skill Level B, which is now TEER 2 or TEER 3. You can check the occupation TEER codes in the list mentioned above.

How many CRS points are required for FSTP in Canada?

You typically require a minimum of 67 points out of 100 if you wish to be eligible under the Express Entry System.

What is the general processing time for FSTP in 2022?

Generally, it takes around six months for Express Entry applications to be processed.

What is sufficient proof of funds in FSTP?

You must have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada, unless

  • already able to legally work in Canada and
  • have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

For 2 Family members, 1 spouse and 1 child, you need $16,449.

Source: Proof of funds

Move to Canada through Federal Skilled Trades Program

Get Canadian PR as a skilled worker, or international student through Canada’s Federal Skilled Trades Program.