Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program: Requirements, Eligibility and How to Apply
A dedicated Express Entry pathway for qualified tradespeople with a valid job offer or Canadian certificate of qualification in a skilled trade.
6 months (after ITA)
CAD 1,590
Permanent
Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the three programs managed under Express Entry. It is designed for qualified tradespeople who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on their skills in a skilled trade. Eligible applicants can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
Applicants must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last 5 years. They also need a valid job offer of at least 1 year from up to 2 Canadian employers, or a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority. The FSTP targets occupations in construction, industrial, maintenance, equipment operation, natural resources, and food service trades classified under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Major Groups 72 (excl. 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 (excl. 932), Minor Group 6320, and Unit Group 62200.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Federal Skilled Trades Program?
- Qualified tradespeople with at least 2 years of full-time paid work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years
- Workers with a valid job offer of at least 1 year of continuous full-time employment from up to 2 Canadian employers in a skilled trade
- Those holding a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority
- Applicants meeting minimum language scores: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Tradespeople in eligible NOC groups including construction trades (electricians, plumbers, carpenters), industrial and maintenance trades, equipment operators, natural resources workers, and food service trades (cooks, chefs, butchers)
- Applicants living outside Canada or residing in Canada on a valid temporary status such as a work permit
- Spouses or common-law partners and dependent children can be included as accompanying family members
You must meet requirements for either a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification. Visit the IRCC website for the full list of eligible NOC codes.
FSTP eligible trade occupations (NOC groups)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) accepts occupations under the following NOC major groups. Occupations beginning with 726 and 932 are excluded.
| NOC Group | Example Trades | Sample NOC Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 72 – Industrial, Electrical and Construction Trades (excl. 726) | Electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, carpenters, bricklayers, welders | 72010, 72020, 72100, 72101, 72200, 72300, 72310, 72400, 72410 |
| 73 – Maintenance and Equipment Operation Trades | Heavy equipment operators, crane operators, transport truck drivers | 73100, 73110, 73200, 73201, 73209, 73300, 73400 |
| 82 – Supervisors and Technical Occupations in Natural Resources | Logging and forestry supervisors, oil and gas well drilling supervisors | 82010, 82020, 82030 |
| 83 – Workers in Natural Resources and Related Production | Logging machinery operators, oil field equipment operators, fishing vessel deck hands | 83100, 83110, 83121, 83200 |
| 92 – Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities Supervisors | Supervisors in mineral and metal processing, food and beverage processing | 92010, 92011, 92012, 92020, 92100 |
| 93 – Central Control and Process Operators (excl. 932) | Water and waste treatment plant operators, power engineers | 93100, 93101, 93200 |
| Minor Group 6320 – Cooks, Butchers and Bakers | Cooks, butchers, bakers | 63200, 63201, 63202 |
| Unit Group 62200 – Chefs | Executive chefs, chef de cuisine, sous chefs | 62200 |
Source: IRCC FSTP eligibility page (Canada.ca). Always verify your NOC code against the current IRCC list before submitting your Express Entry profile.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Federal Skilled Trades Program?
- Education Requirement: No formal education requirement (but ECA-assessed credentials can boost CRS score)
- Language Test Required: IELTS General Training, CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or PTE Core
- Minimum Language Score: CLB 5 for speaking and listening; CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Minimum Work Experience: 2 years full-time (or 3,120 hours) in the same skilled trade NOC code within the last 5 years
- Job Offer or Certificate: Valid job offer of at least 1 year from up to 2 Canadian employers, OR a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province/territory
- Eligible Trade Groups: NOC Major Groups 72 (excl. 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 (excl. 932), Minor Group 6320, Unit Group 62200
- Proof of Funds: Required unless you have a valid Canadian job offer
- Medical Exam Required: Yes - by an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police Clearance Required: Yes - from every country where you lived 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics Required: Yes - fingerprints and photograph at a designated collection centre
- Processing Time: 6 months after Invitation to Apply (80% of applications)
- Government Fee: CAD 1,590 per adult (CAD 990 processing + CAD 600 RPRF)
- Biometrics Fee: CAD 85 (individual); CAD 170 (family of 2+)
Federal Skilled Trades Program draw history
IRCC conducts FSTP-specific Express Entry draws alongside general draws. The table below shows recent FSTP rounds. Minimum CRS scores for FSTP draws are typically lower than all-program draws because only FSTP-eligible candidates are invited.
| Draw Date | Draw Type | Min CRS Score | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2025 | FSTP-specific draw | 280 | 150 |
| Mar 26, 2025 | FSTP-specific draw | 275 | 150 |
| Jan 22, 2025 | FSTP-specific draw | 280 | 150 |
| Nov 27, 2024 | FSTP-specific draw | 260 | 150 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | FSTP-specific draw | 280 | 150 |
Draw data is indicative. Always verify the latest FSTP draw results at the official IRCC rounds of invitations page.
Documents
What are the documents required for Federal Skilled Trades Program?
- Identity and travel documents (passport, birth certificate, national ID) for all applicants
- Certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority (if applicable)
- Job offer letter from a Canadian employer confirming at least 1 year of full-time skilled trade employment
- Language test results (IELTS General Training, CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada, or PTE Core) demonstrating required CLB scores
- Work experience documentation: employment letters on company letterhead, contracts, pay stubs, and tax records covering 2+ years of skilled trade work
- Educational credentials and ECA report (optional but recommended for CRS points)
- Financial documents demonstrating settlement funds (waived with valid job offer)
- Medical examination results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
- Police clearance certificates from every country where you lived for 6+ months since age 18
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection centre
- Proof of relationship for spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children (marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.)
Application Process
How to Apply for Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program: Step-by-Step Process
Check Basic Eligibility
Verify you meet the minimum IRCC requirements for the FSTP. You need 2 years of skilled trade work experience in the last 5 years in an eligible NOC group. You also need CLB 5/4 in English or French, and either a valid job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
Take a Language Test
Book and complete an approved language test. For English: IELTS General Training, CELPIP, or PTE Core. For French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada. You need minimum CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
Secure a Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
Obtain a valid job offer of at least 1 year from up to 2 Canadian employers in your skilled trade. Alternatively, apply for a certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority that recognises your trade credentials.
Create Your Express Entry Profile
Submit your online profile through your IRCC secure account. Enter personal information, trade experience, language scores, and job offer or certificate details. IRCC calculates your CRS score and places you in the Express Entry pool.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Wait for a draw. IRCC conducts rounds of invitations approximately every two weeks. If your CRS score meets or exceeds the draw cutoff, you receive an ITA. You then have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
Prepare and Upload Documents
Gather all supporting documents including passport, language results, job offer letter or certificate of qualification, work experience proof, police clearances, and settlement funds (if required).
Pay Government Fees and Provide Biometrics
Pay processing fees (CAD 1,590 for principal applicant) and biometrics fee (CAD 85). Complete a medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician and provide biometrics at a designated collection centre.
Application Review and Decision
IRCC reviews your application and may request additional information. You can track your status through the IRCC portal. Processing typically takes 6 months for 80% of complete applications. If approved, you receive a COPR and PR visa.
Understanding the Federal Skilled Trades Program requirements is essential to avoid delays or refusals. Your profile is evaluated on trade work experience, language proficiency, and whether you hold a valid job offer or certificate of qualification. Any gap in eligibility or documentation can affect the outcome.
Review every requirement carefully before submitting your Express Entry profile. This improves your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore PR Visa FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
FAQ
Federal Skilled Trades Program — common questions
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Official IRCC sources used for this FSTP guide
Immigration rules change often. Use these Canada.ca pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
Editorial reviewer
Prabu Rajasekaran
Study-Abroad Expert
Prabu Rajasekaran is a study-abroad writer and mentor with 12+ years of experience creating student guidance, test-prep resources, and Canada education/admissions content.
Related Resources
Explore more about Federal Skilled Trades Program
Ready to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
Check your trade occupation eligibility and CRS score estimate. Find out if you qualify through FSTP under Express Entry.