Federal Skilled Trades Program
If you work in a skilled trade, Canada has a permanent residence pathway built specifically for you. No degree required. Just your trade experience, a language test, and a job offer or provincial certification. At IPJ Immigration Solutions, our licensed immigration lawyers and RCICs handle every step of your FSTP application.
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WHAT IS THE FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM?
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a Canadian permanent residence pathway for qualified tradespeople. It runs through the Express Entry system and was created by IRCC to address Canada’s growing demand for skilled trade workers.
What makes it different from other Express Entry programs is simple: there is no education requirement. Most immigration programs reward university degrees and diplomas. The FSTP does not. Your trade experience is what qualifies you. Once you receive an Invitation to Apply, most applications are processed in about six months.
FSTP At a Glance
- No education requirement
- 2 years (3,120 hours) paid trade experience within last 5 years
- CLB 4 reading/writing, CLB 5 speaking/listening
- Covers 90+ trades across six NOC groups
- Trades-category draws with lower CRS cutoffs since 2023
FSTP Eligibility Requirements
You qualify if you meet all of the following requirements.
Work Experience
You need two years of paid, full-time work (3,120 hours) in an eligible skilled trade within the last five years. Part-time hours count if they add up to the total. Volunteer work and unpaid experience do not count.
Language
You need to take an approved English or French language test and score at least CLB 4 in reading and writing, and CLB 5 in speaking and listening. Accepted tests:
- IELTS General Training
- CELPIP General
- TEF Canada (French)
- TCF Canada (French)
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
You need one of the following:
- A valid Canadian job offer for full-time work lasting at least 12 months, usually supported by an LMIA, OR.
- A Certificate of Qualification issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial trades authority, confirming you passed a certification exam and are licensed to work in your trade in that province.
*You do not need both. One is sufficient.*
Settlement Funds
You need to show you have enough money to support yourself and your family after arrival. Required amounts are set by IRCC and updated regularly, with the latest figures always available on the IRCC’s official settlement funds table or you can ask our team during your consultation. This requirement is waived if you already hold a valid Canadian work permit and have a job offer.
Admissibility
You must pass a medical exam and a criminal background check. You must also plan to live outside Quebec, which runs its own separate immigration system.
Already in Canada on a work permit?
Your employer's existing job offer may already satisfy the job offer requirement. You may also qualify under the Canadian Experience Class at the same time. We assess both pathways and tell you which is stronger for your situation.
DON'T MEET EVERY REQUIREMENT?
Many tradespeople who fall short of FSTP requirements still have strong options through Provincial Nominee Programs or the Federal Skilled Worker Program. We assess every pathway available to you — not just FSTP.
At a Glance
IS YOUR TRADE ELIGIBLE?
The FSTP covers more than 90 trades across six NOC groups. Category-based draws for skilled trades workers have expanded FSTP’s reach significantly since 2023.
NOC Group
Major Group 72
Electricians, Plumbers, Welders, Carpenters, Pipefitters, Sheet Metal Workers
Major Group 73
Crane Operators, Heavy Equipment Operators, Millwrights, Aircraft Mechanics
Major Group 82
Supervisors in Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Related Production
Major Group 83
Well Drillers, Blasters, Underground Miners
Major Group 92
Manufacturing and Processing Supervisors
Groups 632–633
Cooks, Bakers, Butchers
Your job title matters less than the duties you actually perform.
We verify the correct NOC code for every client before anything is submitted - an incorrect NOC is one of the most common causes of application refusals.
YOUR THREE PATHWAYS TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Once your profile is in the Express Entry pool, there are three ways you can receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Option 1
General Express Entry Draw
All Express Entry candidates compete together, ranked by CRS score. Draws happen roughly every two weeks. This works best if your language scores are strong or you have a job offer boosting your points.
Option2
Category-Based Trades Draw
Since 2023, IRCC has run exclusive Express Entry draws for skilled trades workers. These draws have far lower CRS cutoffs than general rounds — sometimes as low as 199, compared to 480+ in general draws — making them the best option if your score is low.
Option 3
Provincial Nominee Program
Most provinces have dedicated trade streams. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, placing you in a highly competitive position for your next Invitation to Apply. See our Permanent Residency services for details on Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia trades streams.
Step by Step
THE FSTP APPLICATION PROCESS
Confirm Your NOC Code
We match your work experience to the correct NOC group and verify your duties meet IRCC requirements.
Take Your Language Test
Book IELTS General, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada. The higher your score, the higher your CRS.
Secure Your Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
If you are outside Canada, this usually means working with a Canadian employer or contacting a provincial trades authority. If you are already in Canada on a work permit, your employer's existing offer may already satisfy this requirement.
Submit Your Express Entry Profile
We prepare and submit your profile. Your CRS score is calculated automatically.
Wait for an Invitation to Apply
Your profile sits in the pool and competes in regular draws, including targeted trades-category draws.
Submit Your Permanent Residence Application
You have 60 days from receiving your ITA to submit your full electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). We prepare and submit every document within that window.
Complete Biometrics and Final Review
You provide biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. IRCC reviews your medical and background check results.
FSTP AND QUEBEC
The FSTP does not apply to Quebec. Quebec selects its own immigrants through a separate system. If you plan to live anywhere else in Canada, the FSTP is available to you. See our Permanent Residency services for all provincial options.
Professional Fee Schedule
We believe pricing should be honest, transparent, and stress-free. That’s why we don’t charge by the hour or burden you with unexpected fees. Before any work begins, you’ll receive a clear, written agreement outlining exactly what’s included. No guesswork, no surprises – just a straightforward deal you can count on.
What Our Services Include
Every applicant’s situation is different. Some clients want expert support while staying in control of their own application. Others want a team to manage everything.
Guided Application Review - You Prepare, We Review
Perfect if you are comfortable managing your own application but want a licensed professional team to verify your NOC, check your hours calculation, review your reference letters, and audit your full post-ITA package before submission.
What's included
- Eligibility assessment and CRS score review
- Custom document checklist, professional templates and guidance
- Full review of your completed application and documents
- Final pre-submission review call
Best for hands-on applicants who want expert verification before submitting. Full fee credited if upgraded to Full Care before submission.
Full Care Representation - We Handle Everything
Ideal for workers with complex situations – such as a borderline NOC, multiple employers, an expiring permit, or a previous refusal – or for anyone who wants complete peace of mind. You share your documents and your story. We take care of the rest.
What's included
- Complete Express Entry profile creation and CRS optimisation strategy
- Full post-ITA application preparation
- IRCC portal management
- All IRCC communication as your authorised representative
- Ongoing updates until you receive your decision
Best for complex cases, expiring permits, previous refusals, or anyone who wants complete peace of mind.
Upgrading to Full Care Representation: Start with a Guided Application Review and decide to upgrade to Full Care before your application is submitted? We will credit the full amount you have already paid toward your new fee.
YOUR PATH TO CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENCY
Why Clients Choose IPJ Immigration Solutions
Two Decades of Ontario Experience
Before eligible trades lists were revised, before NOC shifted to TEER, before certificate rules changed we were building these files. You are not getting someone learning FSTP on your file.
We Have Been Where You Are
Our team navigated this personally the trades certification hurdles, the CRS anxiety, the 60-day ITA countdown. That shapes how seriously we take your timeline and how personally we care about your outcome.
RCIC and Lawyer Combination
CICC-licensed RCICs and an immigration lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario - JD from Osgoode Hal, with Federal Court capability on every complex file.
Meticulous Attention to Detail
A wrong TEER classification, a vague trade experience letter, one date mismatch between your profile and your certificate of qualification these are the reasons FSTP applications get refused. We audit every detail before submission so yours does not become one of those cases.
You Are Not Just a File Number
Small, focused team. The same person who assesses your FSTP eligibility manages your file through to the PR decision. You always know who to call and exactly where your application stands.
Success With Difficult Cases
Borderline TEER classifications, expiring work permits, multiple employers, certificate of qualification gaps, previous refusals — these are FSTP situations we have handled and resolved. If your case is not straightforward, that is exactly when experience matters most.
What Our Clients Say
Our clients come to us from across Richmond Hill and the wider Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Vaughan, Toronto, and Mississauga. Their words reflect what we work to deliver on every file: clarity, honest guidance, and real results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. IRCC runs regular draws including targeted trades-category draws with lower CRS cutoffs.
No. A Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian provincial authority is enough. You only need one or the other - a job offer or a Certificate of Qualification, not both.
Yes. If you are on a valid work permit, your employer's existing offer may satisfy the requirement. You may also be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class at the same time. We compare both and recommend the stronger pathway.
Yes, provided each role qualifies under an eligible NOC group. Hours from multiple part-time positions can be combined to reach the 3,120-hour minimum, as long as each job is paid, authorised, and supported by separate documentation.
Roughly 8 to 14 months from start to finish. IRCC processing after your application is submitted takes approximately six months.
No. Trade experience, language scores, and a job offer or Certificate of Qualification are all you need.
There is no fixed number. Trades-category draws have had cutoffs as low as 199 in some rounds, though cutoffs vary. We optimize your profile before you enter the pool.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can be included in your application. You can sponsor other family members after you receive your PR. Your spouse may also be eligible for a Spousal Open Work Permit while your application is in progress.
Your Next Step Starts Here
Canada continues to prioritise skilled tradespeople through regular category-based draws. The sooner your profile is in the pool, the sooner you can receive your Invitation to Apply.
✓ RCIC and Law Society Regulated ✓ Confidential ✓ No Commitment Required ✓ Response Within 1 Business Day
Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
Not sure if your trade qualifies or whether you need a certificate of qualification or union membership? We’ll review your occupation, experience, and language scores and tell you honestly where you stand with FSTP.
Paid 45-Minute Consultation
Book a 45-minute paid consultation with a licensed immigration consultant. We’ll review your trade certification, work experience, and Express Entry profile and leave you with a clear, honest plan for securing your Canadian permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
READY TO START?
Answer a few short questions about your trade certification, work experience, and current immigration status. A licensed consultant will review your answers and get back to you within 24 hours with a clear, honest assessment of your FSTP eligibility and the best next step for your file.