Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Overview
Since the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) in 2013, the Canadian economy has seen a boost. Skilled workers looking to work in Canada can now do so with ease thanks to this programme, which provides a sustainable pathway for such immigration.
Every year, the Canadian government welcomes over 400,000 newcomers to the country through various immigration programmes. One of them is the Federal Skilled Trades programme, which is currently managed by Express Entry in Canada. The IRCC can invite candidates from the pool to become permanent residents using the Express Entry system. Out of the expected yearly total, this system accommodates more than 110,000 immigrants.
If you are a skilled worker, you will be able to enter Canada through this programme. Aside from the FSTP, skilled workers can apply through other programmes such as the Provincial Nominee Program or the Quebec application.
Eligibility Criteria
The following eligibility requirement must be met before an applicant can be considered eligible for the FSTP:
At least two employers must have offered you a job with a minimum of 30 hours per week. It should be noted that job offers must have a one-year expiration date before they can be considered valid.
Evidence demonstrating proficiency in Canadian languages using the IRCC standard as a guide (Speaking and listening skills must be at least Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) 5, while reading and writing skills must be at least CLB 4).
A minimum of two years full-time or five years part-time experience in a skilled trade or profession is required.
Professional expertise and experience from a related role must be demonstrated.
NB: A certificate of qualification is a document that confirms a foreign national’s ability to work as a skilled trader in Canada. Applicants can use a certificate of qualification to prove they completed a certification exam or met all of the conditions needed to work in a particular province or region.
Skilled Work Experience Eligible for the FTSP
There are skilled trade occupations eligible under the FTSP. These trades are categorized under the National Occupational Classification groups. These groups are subdivided into different occupations.
| MAJOR GROUPS | OCCUPATIONS |
|---|---|
| 72 | Industrial, construction and electrical trades |
| 73 | Equipment operation and maintenance trades |
| 82 | Technical jobs and supervisors in Agriculture, natural resources and similar products |
| 92 | Manufacturing, processing, and utilities supervisors, and central control operators632 |
| 632 | Chefs and cooks |
| 633 | Butchers and bakers |
FAQs
Some of the requirements you need to meet under this program are:
- A validated language test that meets the benchmark of 7 for the two official Canadian languages (English and French)
- Must have been a full-time worker for a year or be a worker under the National Occupation Classification skill in either type A, B or C.
- Must have at least a degree, diploma or certificate from a Canadian institution or be in a foreign certificated backed up with an ECA report.
- Must have enough funds to sustain Canada’s expenses.
- Also, you must meet at least 67 points using the 100-grid using the selection factor listed above.
Another general requirement to meet is the security and criminality criteria. Whether you are the applicant or the dependent, you must meet all these before being granted a visa.
If you have submitted your profile to the Express Entry system, you need to wait for the IRCC to send an Invitation to Apply (ITA). If they don’t send it, you are not qualified to apply for permanent residence. But you can proceed to use it once you receive the invitation.
You don’t have to be in any particular occupation before being in the FSWP program. If you have a minimum of one year of work experience or have been in an occupation approved by the Canadian Occupational Classification, you can apply.
The following document should be attached when sending your application for permanent residency. Note that you should only send it when you have been invited to apply.
The documents are:
- Canadian government processing fees according to the IRCC website;
- Signed and completed application forms;
- identity and civil status documents;
- Proof of work experience;
- travel documents and passports;
- evidence of professional qualifications/educational training;
- Canadian educational qualification assessment;
- IELTS or CELPIP or TEF or TCF Canada results or;
- Police certificates and clearances;
- Proof of Arranged Employment (If this applies to you);
- Evidence that shows financial stability.
You should also not forget to submit these documents provided you have received an invitation to apply:
- Valid passport
- Documents of work experience
- Language test results
- Police clearance certificate(s)
- Medical report
- Photographs of applicants, dependent children and other family members
Make sure you check if the Canadian immigration office has other specific documents that need to be submitted alongside so you can plan and be ready to apply without further delay.
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