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Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

SAAB Immigration Services Inc. | Immigration Experts for Canada   →  Visa   →  Immigrate to Canada Permanently   →  Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | SAAB Immigration Services, RCIC R536007

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

What this page covers

The honest position on this program is set out in the first two sections, and it is not what most websites tell you. Read those before you spend money on a certificate of qualification.

Canada values skilled tradespeople, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is your gateway to permanent residency as a tradesperson. This program is designed for those with experience in eligible skilled trades, offering a path to contribute to Canada’s growing economy on a permanent basis. At SAAB Immigration Services Inc., we specialize in guiding tradespeople through the FSTP application process, ensuring your skills lead you to a successful future in Canada.

How Does the FSTP Work Within Express Entry?

Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Trades Program has unique eligibility requirements tailored to skilled trades professionals. However, since it is part of the Express Entry system, applicants must still create a profile, receive a CRS score, and wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

The Federal Skilled Trades Program: Where It Stands

The Federal Skilled Trades Program was designed for qualified tradespeople, and the trades shortage in Canada is real. The route into permanent residence, however, does not work the way the program name suggests, and we would rather you heard that here than after two years of waiting.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Two years of full-time skilled trade experience, or 3,120 hours part-time equivalent, within the past five years
  • The trade must fall within NOC major groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 92 or 93, plus certain specified minor and unit groups
  • Either a valid full-time job offer of at least one year, or a Canadian certificate of qualification issued by a province or territory
  • Language of CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing
  • No education requirement, though an Educational Credential Assessment can add points

The Draw Reality, Stated Plainly

This is the part most websites omit, and it is the part that determines whether the program is a realistic route for you.

What the Data Shows:

  • There have been no Federal Skilled Trades specific draws in 2024, 2025 or 2026 to date
  • General, all-program draws stopped after the January to April 2024 window
  • The realistic route is the Trade occupations category-based draw, which ran once in 2025 with 1,250 invitations at a cut-off of 505
  • The first trades category draw of 2026 was held in April
  • A provincial nomination remains the most reliable route, carrying 600 points

A change that matters if you are a cook or a chef. On 18 February 2026 cooks, NOC 63200, and chefs, NOC 62200, were removed from the trades category, and butchers, NOC 63201, were moved in from the retired agri-food category. Cooks previously dominated trades draws, taking roughly 1,121 of 2,000 invitations. If your plan was built around a cook occupation entering through the trades category, that plan needs rebuilding.

The Certificate of Qualification, and Why It Is Usually the Better Route

Of the two qualifying conditions, the certificate of qualification is the one that puts control back in your hands, and since March 2025 it is materially more valuable than the alternative.

Why the Certificate Matters More Now:

  • A job offer is worth zero points on the Comprehensive Ranking System since 25 March 2025, so it no longer lifts your rank
  • A job offer still satisfies the program eligibility requirement, and is worth ten points on the Federal Skilled Worker grid, but it will not move you up the pool
  • A certificate of qualification is issued by a provincial or territorial body, usually requiring an assessment and often a Canadian examination
  • Obtaining one generally requires travelling to Canada to be assessed or examined, which needs planning well in advance
  • It also strengthens provincial nominee applications, which is where trades candidates most often succeed

If you hold a trade qualification obtained outside Canada, the practical first step is establishing what your province of interest requires to recognise it, and whether your occupation currently appears in a category draw. Those two answers determine whether this is a realistic route for you or a long wait for a draw that may not come. We will give you a frank assessment rather than an encouraging one.

Not Certain Whether You Qualify Under the Current Federal Skilled Trades Program Rules?

Eligibility in this area rests on details that are easy to read past and expensive to get wrong. SAAB Immigration Services Inc. offers a complimentary ten minute consultation to assess your circumstances properly before you commit time or money to an application. There is no obligation.

Ask us to take a look

Key Differences Between FSTP and Other Express Entry Programs

  • Lower Language Requirements
    The FSTP has the most lenient language proficiency requirements compared to FSWP and CEC.
  • No Education Requirement
    Unlike FSWP, candidates are not required to have post-secondary education to qualify. However, an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) can boost CRS scores.
  • Occupation-Specific Pathway
    The FSTP is tailored to skilled trades and requires work experience in eligible NOC TEER 2 & 3 trades.
  • Job Offer or Certification
    To be eligible, applicants must have a valid Canadian job offer or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province/territory.

Who Is Eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

Work Experience

Have at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in a skilled trade within the last five years.

Language Proficiency

Meet the required language levels for speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English or French (CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing).

Arranged Employment

Have a valid job offer for full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

How Do FSTP and Express Entry Work Together?

  • Creating an Express Entry profile.
  • Entering the Express Entry pool and being ranked based on the CRS.
  • Receiving an ITA for permanent residence if you meet the CRS cut-off score.
  • Submitting a complete application for permanent residence within 60 days of receiving your ITA.

Since FSTP candidates often have lower CRS scores, it may worthwhile to explore:

  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations (+600 CRS points for Express Entry based PNPs)
  • Job offers in Canada (up to 200 CRS points)
  • Improving language scores for higher CRS points

Frequently Asked Questions

What trades are eligible under FSTP?

Only TEERs 2 & 3 trades qualify for the FSTP. These include electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, chefs, butchers, and many more.

Can I apply without a job offer?

Yes, but only if you have a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province/territory. If you do not have this certification, you must have a valid job offer.

How does FSTP work within Express Entry?

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is part of Express Entry, meaning you must create a profile, receive a CRS score, and be selected in a round of invitation.

What if my CRS score is too low for Express Entry?

You can improve your chances by:

  • Getting a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination (+600 CRS points)
  • Securing a job offer with LMIA (up to 200 CRS points)
  • Boosting your language scores for more CRS points

Is there an age limit for FSTP?

No, but age affects CRS scores in Express Entry - candidates aged 18-29 get maximum CRS points for age.

How long does FSTP processing take?

Once selected from Express Entry, the PR processing time is usually 6-8 months.

Do I need an educational credential assessment (ECA) for FSTP?

No, education is not required, but getting an ECA can increase your CRS score, improving your chances of selection.

How often are Federal Skilled Trades (FST) draws held in the Express Entry system?

Since FST applicants typically have lower CRS scores due to the program’s emphasis on skilled trades over formal education, IRCC conducts targeted FST draws less frequently compared to other Express Entry categories. Historically, there have been an average of two FST-specific draws per year, but this may vary depending on labor market needs and immigration targets.

Speak With a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant About Federal Skilled Trades Program

We act for clients across Canada and internationally, and we will tell you honestly where a matter is strong, where it is not, and when waiting or reapplying is the better course. A consultation gives you a documented assessment you can act on rather than a general impression.

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