Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was established to offer a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada to qualified skilled foreign tradespeople in dozens of high-demand occupations (such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and welders). Many of these skilled trades are related to jobs in such occupation categories as:

  • Construction, Electrical and Industrial
  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance
  • Supervisors and Technical Jobs in Natural Resources, Agriculture and Related Production
  • Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities Supervisors and Central Control Operators

Skilled foreign tradespeople and their eligible family members who are granted a PR Visa to Canada through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) are authorized to live and work in Canada long-term, receive free basic healthcare (after a brief waiting period), get access to educational programs, and have the opportunity to enjoy the high standard of living that Canada is famous for. Another great benefit is the option to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada as a permanent resident at least four years and meeting other criteria!

Trades has always been a sought after industry in Canada as trades individuals are in high demand due to the trades shortage in Canada. On the 19th of December 2023, Canada had its second Express Entry Draw for Trades Occupations. 1000 eligible candidates with CRS scores with as low as 425 received invitations in this category based selection in specific occupations. All candidates for this draw were from the number of NOC codes in the Express Entry pool related to Trades Occupations. 

Since 19 December 2023, two more Express Entry Draws has been held for Trades Occupations. These two draws were even more specific as it targeted candidates in the Transportation Occupation Trade. 

See below a graph of the Express Entry Draws from September 26 2023 to March 13 2024. 

289March 13, 2024Transport Occupations (2024-1)975430
288March 12, 2024General2,850525
287February 29, 2024French Language Proficiency (2024-1)2,500336
286February 28, 2024General1,470534
285February 16, 2024Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations (2023-1)150437
284February 14, 2024Healthcare Occupations (2023-1)3,500422
283February 13, 2024General1,490535
282February 1, 2024French Language Proficiency (2023-1)7,000365
281January 31, 2024General730541
280January 23, 2024General1,040543
279January 10, 2024General1,510546
278December 21, 2023Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations (2023-1)400386
277December 20, 2023Transport Occupations (2023-1)670435
276December 19, 2023Trade Occupations (2023-1)1,000425
275December 18, 2023General1,325542
274December 8, 2023STEM Occupations (2023-1)5,900481
273December 7, 2023French Language Proficiency (2023-1)1,000470
272December 6, 2023General4,750561
271October 26, 2023Healthcare Occupations (2023-1)3,600431
270October 25, 2023French Language Proficiency (2023-1)300486
269October 24, 2023Provincial Nominee Program1,548776
268October 10, 2023No Program Specified3,725500
267September 28, 2023Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations (2023-1)600354
266September 27, 2023French Language Proficiency (2023-1)500472
265September 26, 2023No Program Specified3,000504

LINK: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

Who Can Apply for the FSTP?

In order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), an applicant must have a minimum of two years of full-time paid work experience during the past five years in a trade that is eligible for the FSTP. Dozens of jobs in Canada qualify for the FSTP, particularly in the construction industry, oil & gas sector, trades related to heavy machinery, and various technical fields, among many others. Currently, all of the skilled trades eligible for the FSTP will be listed under the NOC Skill Level B category in the following groups (groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 92 and 93 as well as Minor Group 6320 and Unit Group 62200 each have several specific occupations listed as eligible for the FSTP):

  • Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
  • excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
  • Major Group 73, general trades
  • Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
  • Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
  • Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
  • Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
  • Unit Group 62200, chefs

Skilled foreign workers will also need to meet the requirements for employment in their FSTP-eligible trade as defined by the NOC system.

Please note that in addition to the above trades, there are many other occupations that also qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Furthermore, be aware that certain occupations related to trades (such as particular management occupations) may not qualify for the FSTP, but may be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 

An applicant for the FSTP must be able to prove that they have acceptable English or French language abilities necessary for their particular trade (as measured by such language evaluation exams as the IELTS or TEF). The Language bar has been lowered for FSTP candidates to make it easier for them to obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence. 

Additionally, applicants for the FSTP long-term work visa to Canada must have a qualifying Canadian job offer OR a “certificate of qualification” from one of the provinces or territories where they want to live and work in Canada.

Although an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is not a requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), there is potential to receive more points toward Canadian immigration on the new “Express Entry” Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Therefore, obtaining an ECA is recommended by the Canadian government for FSTP applicants. The optional ECA is an assessment of an applicant’s educational credentials (e.g., vocational training, college or university degree, etc.) to determine to what extent they compare to the education or other training received in Canada for the same or a related field or occupation.

As with each type of work visa to Canada, applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) must meet health and character requirements and provide “proof of funds,” among other criteria.

Keep in mind that skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec should apply for a unique Quebec immigration program known as the Quebec-Selected Skilled Workers Program.