Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Your 2025 Guide to Canadian Permanent Residency

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is part of Canada’s Express Entry system and offers a dedicated immigration pathway for experienced skilled tradespeople seeking permanent residency. This program is designed to help fill critical labor gaps in trades across Canada (excluding Quebec, which has its own skilled worker program) and is ideal for workers in construction, maintenance, manufacturing, natural resources, and other key sectors.

Main Features of the FSTP

• Express Entry pathway: Applications are processed using Canada’s Express Entry system for skilled immigration.
• Trade-focused selection: Caters specifically to applicants with hands-on experience in designated skilled trades.
• Lower language and education thresholds: Compared to other Express Entry programs, FSTP applicants benefit from relaxed requirements in language proficiency and education.

Eligibility Criteria in 2025

• Work Experience: At least 2 years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years. This experience must be:
  • Paid work (not volunteer or unpaid internships).
  • In a qualifying trade under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups such as:
    • Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction trades
    • Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades
    • Major Group 82: Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
    • Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators
    • Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks
    • Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers
• Language Proficiency: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing—can be proven in English or French.
• Job Offer or Certificate:
  • A valid full-time job offer (at least one year), or
  • A Certificate of Qualification in your trade, issued by a Canadian province, territory, or federal authority.
• Proof of Funds: Must show enough available money to support yourself and family, unless already legally working in Canada with a valid job offer.
• Intent to Reside: Must intend to live outside Quebec.

The Application Process

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the work experience, language, job offer/certificate, and settlement funds criteria.
2. Get Your Trade Assessed: If pursuing a certificate of qualification, contact the relevant provincial/territorial regulatory body to have your skills assessed and, if eligible, pass the certification exam.
3. Create an Express Entry Profile: Provide details about your work experience, language results, job offer or certificate, and any supporting documentation.
4. Enter the Pool: You’ll be ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Education is not a strict requirement, but it can boost your CRS score if provided.
5. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Periodically, top-ranked candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residence. You’ll have 60 days to submit a complete application if invited.
6. Application Review and Approval: Submit supporting documents and fees. Most applications are processed in 6 months or less.

Documents You’ll Need

• Proof of skilled trades work experience (letters, pay stubs, records).
• Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF Canada).
• Job offer letter (if applicable) or Certificate of Qualification.
• Proof of settlement funds (unless exempt).
• Other identification and supporting documents as required by IRCC.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I apply without a job offer? Yes, if you have a Certificate of Qualification in your trade from a Canadian authority.
• Do I need to meet an education requirement? No minimum education is required for FSTP eligibility, though it can improve your ranking.
• Is Quebec included? No, FSTP does not apply to Quebec-bound immigrants; apply through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program instead.
• Which trades are eligible? Key sectors like construction, maintenance, and catering (chefs, butchers, bakers) are covered—check the latest NOC list for updates.

Why Choose the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

• Trade-focused and ideal for applicants with practical, hands-on careers.
• Faster processing times and less stringent language or education requirements.
• Pathway to Canadian permanent residency for you and your immediate family.
• Flexible for those with either Canadian job offers or recognized trade certification.