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The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is part of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system, aimed specifically at skilled trade workers from abroad looking to move to Canada. This program is tailored for individuals with work experience in specific trades, providing a pathway to obtain permanent residency. While it is a streamlined route under Express Entry, it’s not the sole option for skilled workers seeking to establish themselves in Canada. Other visa programs cater to those pursuing different levels of employment, but these might not offer the expedited process that Express Entry does.
To begin, confirm you meet the federal government’s criteria as a skilled trade worker. Once verified, you can apply through the Express Entry system. A crucial requirement for eligibility includes possessing a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification. The main objective is to secure an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Express Entry, paving the way for permanent residency across Canada, excluding Québec unless you have a provincial nomination. Should you receive backing from a specific Canadian province or territory, you are expected to reside there.
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you’ll need to fulfill specific requirements (some of which are similar to the Express Entry system’s CRS criteria) that determine your eligibility for the program before creating a profile through Express Entry. These criteria are unique to the Federal Skilled Trades Program and must correspond with one of the designated skilled trades listed below.
Key Requirements for Eligibility:
Ensure that your work experience aligns with one of the specified skilled trades recognized in Canada.
Meet the necessary qualifications, such as work experience, language proficiency, and job offers, which are assessed as part of your Express Entry profile.
Understand that the Federal Skilled Trades Program operates within the broader Express Entry system, which manages applications for various economic immigration programs.
| Minimum Requirements |
|---|
| A full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a total period of at least 1-year OR a certificate of qualification* from a provincial, territorial, or federal governing body |
| Language proficiency score in French or English measured by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). (Level 4 for writing + reading and level 5 for listening + speaking) |
| At least 2 years of full-time work experience within the last 5 years |
| Ability to demonstrate that you meet the job requirements of your skilled trade |
| You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada unless you have a valid job offer or can legally work in Canada. |
If you fulfill the eligibility criteria, you can proceed to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program by creating an online profile through the Express Entry system.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a key initiative by the Canadian federal and provincial governments aimed at attracting more skilled trades workers to Canada to tackle labor shortages in trade professions. Canada faces challenges such as an aging population and a low birth rate, making immigration critical for supporting the workforce and stimulating economic growth—particularly in the skilled trades sector, which is in high demand.
Moving to Canada through the FSTP comes with numerous advantages. Candidates typically achieve permanent residency within six months through the Express Entry system.
One notable benefit for FSTP applicants is the potential for lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores compared to other candidates in the Express Entry pool, as there is no requirement to demonstrate educational qualifications. Additionally, the IRCC occasionally conducts Express Entry draws specifically for FSTP candidates. Joining the Express Entry pool enhances your chance of securing permanent residency, especially if you receive a provincial nomination. Such a nomination provides an extra 600 CRS points, substantially boosting your likelihood of receiving an invitation for permanent residence through Express Entry.
For FSTP candidates with work experience in Canada, the prospects for succeeding in the Canadian job market are strong. The IRCC awards additional CRS points to applicants with Canadian work experience and those who have pursued studies in the country.
Research by Canadian governments and academics underscores the value of Canadian work experience in gaining permanent residence. The unique combination of knowledge, professional connections, hands-on experience, and skills acquired while working in Canada gives FSTP immigrants a competitive edge in the labor market once they secure permanent residency.
For those interested in the Federal Skilled Trades Program, eligible skilled trade occupations are categorized under specific major groups within the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Each group encompasses various occupations classified as skill type B. To qualify, you need to demonstrate that you have carried out the responsibilities outlined in the NOC occupational description. This includes fulfilling all essential duties and the majority of the main duties. For instance, refer to NOC 7321, which covers automotive service technicians.
The Express Entry system offers a streamlined pathway for obtaining permanent residency in Canada, sometimes in as little as six months! Successfully meeting the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) minimum criteria is just the initial phase of the Express Entry journey. The subsequent step involves setting up an online profile, which assigns you a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) factors outlined below. You then wait for an Express Entry draw, which usually occurs every two weeks. During these draws, candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residency.
Key CRS Factors That Influence Points:
Although education is not a mandatory condition for the FSTP, providing evidence of education completed in Canada or international qualifications from secondary or higher education institutions can improve your CRS score. While a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score might meet the FSTP’s minimum language requirement, achieving higher language test scores can further enhance your CRS score significantly.
At Immigration to Canada, we understand the importance of improving your Express Entry CRS score. There are several strategies to enhance your ranking, with many starting by expanding your work experience or obtaining advanced qualifications in your field. Your profile within the Express Entry system can be continuously updated until the draw, so it’s beneficial to ensure it’s as strong as possible right from the start. Gathering all necessary documents beforehand boosts your chances of early success.
One significant method to elevate your score is securing a Provincial Nomination (PN) through one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). If you’re already registered in the Express Entry pool, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to your preferred Canadian province. Sometimes, provinces might even extend a Notification of Interest (NOI) to you. To qualify, meeting the specific criteria and being included on the province’s in-demand skills list is essential.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Opportunities
Certain PNPs collaborate with the Express Entry system to facilitate skilled workers. If you meet the requirements of a PNP aligned with Express Entry—often with less stringent criteria than the Federal Skilled Trades Program—you can be granted a Provincial Nomination. This award provides a significant boost of 600 additional points to your profile, which nearly assures an Invitation to Apply (ITA), assuming all other conditions are met. Historically, the minimum score required from the Express Entry pool has not surpassed 500 points. Therefore, researching the various PNPs for which you are eligible and actively sending an Expression of Interest to the appropriate province is a wise tactical move.
Step 1: Check Eligibility Requirements Determine if you qualify for the FSTP. Use the free eligibility assessment tool provided by Immigration To Canada to assist you.
Step 2: Language Proficiency and Credential Assessment
Ensure you meet the language requirements by taking an approved English or French test as recognized by IRCC. If you have an educational background from abroad, consider obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to gain additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile
Complete and submit your Express Entry profile on the IRCC website at no cost.
Step 4: Monitor the Express Entry Draws
Keep an eye on the Express Entry draws conducted by IRCC typically every two weeks. These will determine if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Step 5: Submission of Permanent Residence Application
Upon receiving an ITA, submit a detailed permanent residence application to IRCC within the given deadline. The processing time is generally six months or less for most applicants.
To qualify for the FSTP, you must undertake an English and/or French language test through a third-party testing organization approved by IRCC. The minimum language requirements are as follows:
Keep in mind that if you're invited to apply for permanent residence, your language test results must be less than two years old on the date you submit your application. For expert guidance, connect with Immigration to Canada.
A Certificate of Qualification demonstrates your competency in a skilled trade in Canada, showing that you have passed the necessary exam and fulfilled all the criteria to practice this trade in a specific province or territory. This certificate is issued by the regulatory body responsible for trades in the respective province or territory, or by a federal authority where applicable.
In Canada, education and training are primarily the responsibilities of individual provinces and territories. They determine the criteria for practicing a skilled trade within their jurisdiction. You will need an assessment of your skills, trade experience, and training from the provincial or territorial regulatory organization. You may be required to travel to the province or territory to take the exam for certification. In some cases, having an employer in Canada provide you with relevant work experience may be necessary before taking the exam.
Certain trades might be regulated at the federal level (for example, airplane mechanics). For more detailed information on credential assessments, refer to the resources provided by Immigration to Canada.
No job offer is needed unless you do not possess a Certificate of Qualification issued by a province or territory in Canada. However, securing a job offer could bolster your application with additional points.
An eligible job offer must be full-time, involving at least 30 hours of work per week from up to two Canadian employers. The job should be at least one year in duration. Generally, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required, but there are certain exceptions. The LMIA ensures that hiring foreign nationals does not adversely impact the Canadian labor market.
You can only count work experience for the FSTP if you were qualified to perform the trade in the region where you acquired the experience. For instance, if you gained experience in one country and moved to another, you must be certified in that new country to count your experience toward the FSTP.
Participating in Express Entry can increase your chances of obtaining permanent residency. Even with a low CRS score, you might receive a provincial nomination, granting you an additional 600 CRS points and near assurance of receiving an invitation for permanent residency. Remember, creating an Express Entry profile is free, allowing you to simultaneously apply for other immigration programs. For personalized advice, reach out to Immigration to Canada.
To boost your CRS score, consider the following:
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