Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of the three immigration programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system. Like all Express Entry programs, it uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess and rank candidates. Only the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular Express Entry draws.
Each year, more than half of all newcomers to Canada arrive as skilled workers through economic immigration programs, including FST. For qualified tradespeople, the FST program offers one of the fastest and most direct pathways to obtain Canadian permanent residence — and with it, the right to live and work in Canada permanently.
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Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program Requirements
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Work Experience
- At least two years of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time) in a skilled trade within the last five years.
- Work experience will only be counted after certification to practice the trade in the country where it was obtained.
- Eligible Skilled Trades (NOC Categories):
- 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
- Employment Connection
- A valid job offer of full-time employment in Canada for at least 12 months, or
- A certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
- Language Ability
- Must achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French on an approved language test.
- Residence in Canada
- Must plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
- Quebec has its own skilled worker immigration programs.
- Admissibility
- Candidates must meet Canada’s general admissibility requirements.
- Certain criminal offences or serious medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Application Procedure
If a candidate meets the eligibility requirements, they may create and submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
⚠️ Important: Submitting an Express Entry profile does not guarantee Canadian permanent residence. After submission, candidates are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and will be considered in future Express Entry draws for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Required Information & Documents for FST Candidates
When submitting an Express Entry profile, an FST applicant must provide details from the following:
- Language Proficiency Test Results
- All Express Entry applicants must provide results from an approved English or French language test.
- The test must have been taken within the last two years.
- Identification Documents
- Candidates must provide valid identification details.
- Passports are strongly recommended for the principal applicant and all accompanying family members.
- Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) (Optional, for points)
- Education is not mandatory under the FST program.
- However, to claim CRS points for foreign education, candidates must provide a valid ECA report.
- The ECA must be issued by one of the five IRCC-approved organizations.
- An ECA is not required for Canadian educational credentials.
CRS Scores & Invitations
- Since Express Entry began in 2015, the lowest CRS score for an FST candidate to receive an ITA was 199 points.
- Candidates with lower CRS scores should actively seek ways to improve their score, such as:
- Enhancing language test results,
- Obtaining a Canadian job offer,
- Completing additional education or training,
- Applying for provincial nomination (PNP).