The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the programs run through the Express Entry immigration system. The FSTP is specifically designed to allow foreign trade professionals with prior experience in trade jobs eligible to move to Canada. It’s not the only way for skilled professionals to seek permanent residency in Canada. There are other options to move to Canada in a non-skilled capacity; however, this is not via a fast-track process similar to this one, which is called Express Entry.
It is the first thing to verify whether you are a skilled trader as per the Federal government. The next step is to apply for an Express Entry system. Additionally, you’ll be required to present an official job offer or certificate of your qualifications to be eligible. Achieving an invitation to Apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system is your primary goal to be eligible as a permanent resident in each province in Canada (apart from Quebec) except for the provincial nominating of the Canadian provincial or territorial government. Then, you will need to relocate to the province or territory that approved your application.
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program program, you’ll need to meet specific requirements (some of which are compatible with the Express Entry system’s CRS standards) to evaluate your eligibility for the program before you can start creating your profile on Express Entry. These requirements are unique to this program and must meet the requirements of any exceptionally skilled trades listed in the table below.
What Are the Requirements of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)?
To be eligible for entry into the express program under the Federal Skilled Trades program, you must
- Meet the minimum proficiency level for your ability to speak, write, read and listen to all Canadian native languages.
- Require at least two years of experience at a full-time, paid job in any field of study within five years before applying or have an equivalent part-time job to a full-time position that lasts for at least two years.
- Following the National Occupational Classifications, satisfy the requirements for the job you’re applying for.
- It would help if you were employed full-time for one full year without interruption or certification of competency issued from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority or a federal one for the job you’re applying for.
*This certification must be obtained through the transference exam conducted within Canada.
If your profile meets the eligibility requirements, then you’re eligible to apply to the program via an Express Entry system by establishing your profile online.
Required Skilled Work Experience
Skilled trade jobs eligible in the Federal Skilled Trades Program are classified into the following major National Occupational Classification NOC groups. These groups are subdivided into different professions and comprise all skill types B. You have to prove that you have fulfilled the requirements of the occupation description in the NOC. This includes all the essential tasks and most primary job responsibilities.
Additional Requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Class program
Apart from the previously stated requirements, if you would like to achieve a high ranking within the CRS system, you must also fulfill the requirements below for The FST Program.
Many jobs are considered to be under-skilled jobs B. To score well within the CRS system, you must ensure you’ve had experience working professionally with the NOC. You must be able to prove that your duties are in the leading statement of the job description in NOC.
Your experience in the workplace is only valid if you have been certified to perform your job independently.
It is the NOC classification of qualified work under B. skilled jobs.
Major Group 72: industrial, electrical, and construction trades
Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operations trades
Major Group 82: supervisors and technical positions in agriculture, natural resources, and production-related fields
Major Group 92: processing manufacturing, utilities, and manufacturing central control operators and supervisors
Minor Grup 632: Chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers
The Express Entry System
Express Entry offers a rapid-track system that allows applicants to apply for permanent residency in as little as six months! The minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are just the beginning of the Express Entry process. Next, you must establish an online profile, which will provide you with a score in addition to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) requirements listed below. You then wait for the Express Entry draw (which typically occurs every two weeks). The draw will determine whether the top-scoring applicants are issued An Invitation to Apply (ITA) to become permanent residents.
CRS Criteria Gives Points For:
- Your age
- Your educational level
- Your work experience inside Canada and beyond Canada
- The ability to adapt to the changing world of Canada
- If there is a sister from Canada
- Your degree of proficiency in a language
- Arranged employment
- No matter if or not you hold a Provincial Nomination
Although your education level is not a mandatory requirement for the FSTP, it can help the Express Entry CRS score if you can provide evidence of education in Canada or other countries for students at post-secondary or high school institutions. The CLB test score on language proficiency might satisfy the minimum requirements for the FSTP; however, it will help you achieve the highest language test score possible to get higher scores through the CRS.
Proof of Settlement Funds
To be eligible for entry on an express basis through the Federal Skilled Trades program, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to be able to move to Canada with your loved ones or that you have the legal right to work in Canada or you hold an employment offer that is valid for a job in Canada.
The fund should be accessible to withdraw and not affected by any sanction or debt. Also, you must ensure that they are legal when you submit your application and receive your PR permits.
Fund requirements can vary depending on the number of family members following you on your journey to move to Canada. The table below illustrates the requirements for the fund based on the number of family members.
Settlement Fund Requirements;
| NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS | FUNDS REQUIRED (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $12,960 |
| 2 | $16,135 |
| 3 | $19,836 |
| 4 | $24,083 |
| 5 | $27,315 |
| 6 | $30,806 |
| 7 | $34,299 |
| FOR EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER | $3,492 |
Admissibility
Admissibility means that you’re legally able to reside in Canada. It is possible to be denied admission by medical conditions or if you’ve got a criminal record. Therefore, you should ensure you’re eligible before applying for the FST program.
Skilled Trades Program Eligibility
Any skilled worker who meets the requirements of FST is eligible for this program. It is also possible to meet additional requirements that will enhance your chances of being accepted to apply(ITA ).
Step-by-step guide for processing the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program
Suppose you’re looking to be eligible to apply for Canada PR using the Federal Skilled Trades program. In that case, This is precisely the procedure you’ll follow from beginning to final stage to obtain a permanent permit to reside in Canada.
First step: Gain two years of experience in a skilled field
One of the first things you should consider before applying for permanent residency is having, at minimum, two years of full-time experience at a job listed in the NOC as a skilled type B position. If you’re employed on an unpaid part-time basis, you must complete the number of hours equivalent to full-time employment of at least two years to qualify.
2. Determine whether you are eligible for other conditions
After you have completed your two years of required skilled work experience, you should check whether you comply with other requirements. The prerequisites are listed above for you.
You have to pass the English or French exam and reach at least the Canadian Language Benchmark of 5 for listening and speaking. You must also reach the CLB 4 for reading and writing.
3 Create your online express Entry profile
If you’ve checked your eligibility status and have been approved, then the next thing to must do is create an online profile to be eligible for express entry. The profile is made on the IRCC website. On the site, you must complete your personal information, such as name and work history, which you can fill in on your own. Specific details require additional documents, such as proof of funds or the results of a language test.
4: Improve your profile
You can improve your profile on the internet in various ways if you believe your score isn’t high enough. You could boost it by taking a new exam to score better if your previous score was below the required pass score.
It is also possible to improve your profile by getting additional work experience. This will enable you to get a high ranking within the Comprehensive Ranking System and stand a better chance of receiving an opportunity to apply(ITA) at the time you are drawn from the pool for express entries.
Another method to enhance your profile is to disclose your educational history. If you went to school in Canada, You could submit a certificate, diploma, or degree to prove that you’ve completed the requirements of a Canadian secondary or high school institution. If you attended schools outside of Canada, You would need to submit the Education Credential Assessment(ECA), which proves that your credentials are comparable to a diploma, certificate, or degree earned from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary school. These will earn you points that range from 100 to 150.
Step 5: You will receive an invitation to submit an application
The most enjoyable moment in the entire process comes when IRCC invites you to apply for Canada PR permits by IRCC. On the day you’re accepted, you are given 60 days to submit an online application. So, it is imperative to ensure that all documents are in order as the deadline for the entire procedure is very short. The entire process can be completed in just six months.
Step 6: Submission your online application
When you receive the invitation to apply, you’ll have 60 days from when you receive it to fill out an electronic application along with the required documents. When you fill out the online application, you will be required to provide the personal information that you will provide by you. Additionally, you will require additional documents, such as medical certificates or police clearance certificates, and an array of other relevant documents.
The medical certificate has to come from an IRCC panel-certified physician, while the police clearance document will originate from all countries that you’ve resided in until you reached 18,
7. Receive confirmation that Permanent Residence is a valid status
Once you have completed it on the internet, a panel will review your application. Experts will review it and acknowledge your permanent residency status, confirming you’ve obtained the PR permit. Then, you will receive an official confirmation of permanence (COPR) document signed by an official from the Canadian official at the entry point or an IRCC office, with the date on which your permanent residence was issued.
Step 8: Apply for an official card.
After you have received the certificate of permanence, You can immediately apply for an official PR card. The card is valid when you travel outside of Canada to prove your legal status in Canada.
frequently asked questions concerning Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program
1. Who can be eligible for Federal Skilled Trades Program?
And: You’re eligible to apply to receive the FST if you are a skilled, certified trader and want to move to Canada to work and live for a long time.
2. What is the processing period in the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
Ans: The time to process the majority of applications is six months. If you are planning to be eligible to obtain Canadian permanent residence via FST, You must have all the required documents in order before you submit an online application.
3. Where can I stay with the Federal Skilled Trades Program residence permit?
Suppose you are interested in living in the state of Quebec. The answer is that with FST, you can live in any province you like within Canada but not Quebec. Quebec province is home to its own set of skilled laborers. In that case, a specific program is available for those who want to reside inside the Quebec province and have Canadian permanent residency.
4: What time does it that the Federal Skilled Trades Program draw?
Answer: Draws for FST is conducted every two weeks within the pool for express entries run by IRCC. All successful applicants will be invited to apply (ITA) after the draw. If you’re one of those who have been successful, You must complete your online application within 60 days of the invitation date.
It is also essential to ensure that all required documents are in order, as the process will take only a few minutes to finish.
A Quick Overview of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Improving Your CRS Score
There are numerous ways of increasing your Express Entry Canada CRS score. Most of them start with enhancing your experience at work or becoming better qualified in the area in which you are studying. This can be done even while trying to apply for the Express Entry system (as your profile is available for editing before drawing day). It is recommended, however, to ensure your profile is as solid as possible and get all required documents before applying for the highest chance of success when you start the process.
Another way to increase your application score is to get a Provincial Nomination (PN) through one Provincial Nomination Program (PNPs). Suppose you’re within this Express Entry system. In that case, this involves sending the Express of Interest (EOI) to the province you want to join within Canada or, in certain instances waiting for them to notify you of a Notice of Interest (NOI). You must satisfy the requirements for the particular province and be listed on their list of skills in demand to qualify.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) can also work with their Express Entry system for skilled workers. If you’re satisfied with the requirements for a PNP and are a member of an Express Entry aligned program (which may be less strict than the Federal Skilled Trades Program), You are given a PN. The nomination adds 600 points to your profile, virtually making sure (bar any other requirements that are not met) the achievement of your ITA. This is because the minimum score out of the pool has never been more than 500 points. It’s a good idea to find out the PNPs within Canada you are eligible for and then send an Expression of Interest to the Province.
