Federal Skilled Trades Program

The FST is a pathway to permanent residence for people with skilled trade work experience. The program requirements include language skills, work experience, job offer, or certificate of qualification. Some of the skilled trades work experience considered under this program include technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, manufacturing, processing, construction, industrial, electrical, and equipment operation and maintenance. In 2019, 1000 invitations were issued to FST Candidates under the express entry program. Canada plans to increase immigration to boost the economy, and one of the programs under which they plan to admit new immigrants is the FST program.

The chart below shows the number of invitations issued under the FST program for the last three years.

The chart below shows the Processing time for the Federal Skilled Trade Worker Program based on the final decision in 2016 and 2017.

Data Source: Express Entry Year-end Report 2017.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program’s key candidates are skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade who want to become permanent residents. The National Occupational Classification (NOC) for the Federal Skilled Trades Program is organized under skill type B which is subdivided into different occupations. Find below the occupations under the FST program.

There are two steps to apply for the FST program, and they are creating your profile and submitting your PR application. Both steps are done online.

Step 1: Submit your Express Entry profile:

Submitting an express entry profile is done by filling an online form. To create your profile, you need to answer some eligibility questions, which takes about 15 minutes to complete through this link. After you completed the eligibility questions, you will be issued a number as your personal reference code. You will need this number to move your information from the eligibility tool to your Express Entry profile.

If you are eligible, you will receive instruction to create an online account to fill out an Express Entry profile. Enter your reference number (if you have one) and enter your personal information, language test details, and National Occupation Classification (NOC Code).

After you submit your Express Entry profile, you will know your score to determine your place in the Express Entry Pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System. Visit this link to see how you are ranked in the express entry pool.

You have 60 days to complete and submit your express entry profile. Your profile is valid for one year, but you can submit another profile if you did not receive an ITA within one year.

Note: Submitting an online Express Entry profile does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence.

Step 2: Apply for Permanent Residence

Applying for a Permanent Resident Visa after receiving an invitation to apply is done through the express entry online system. You will need to fill out the online forms through the account you created while submitting your express entry profile. Scan and upload all your supporting documents as listed above. Pay your application fees and submit your completed application.

• Pay your application fees:

Estimated cost per Adult $1,325 and per child $225. 

How to make payment & Fees table

Applicants may be required to give their biometrics for permanent residence applications.  Fingerprints and photos will be taken. Visit this link to learn more about how to give your Biometrics. Estimated Cost – $85 CAD Individual, $170 CAD Family.

The processing time for a complete PR application is six months. You have 90 days to submit your application.

If your application is successful, you will be required to submit your passport and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Visa will be issued.

On August 6, 2020, IRCC had a program-specific draw for the FST program. A total of 250 FST candidates were issued invitations to apply for permanent residence.