The Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada serves as a route for skilled foreign workers to attain permanent residency in Canada. This program is part of the trio of federal economic immigration initiatives administered through Express Entry, the online application system of Canada designed for skilled workers aspiring to achieve permanent residency in the country.
Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada Eligibility Requirements
1. Required level of language proficiency in all the four abilities, which are:
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
2. A minimum of two years of full-time work experience or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience is required. The work experience must be in a skilled trade and should have been acquired within the five years preceding the submission of the application.
3. The work experience must be obtained through paid work. Volunteer work and unpaid internships will not be considered.
4. Fulfill all the requirements outlined for the specific skilled trade, as listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except the necessity of holding a qualification certificate.
5. A valid job offer for full-time employment lasting a minimum of one year, or a certificate in the relevant skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority, is required.
Work Experience
To be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada through the Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada, an applicant must possess the necessary level of work experience in any of the skilled trades classified under the following groups of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):
| Major Group 72 | Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers |
| Major Group 73 | General trades |
| Major Group 82 | Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production |
| Major Group 83 | Occupations in natural resources and related production |
| Major Group 92 | Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, utilities operators and controllers |
| Major Group 93 | Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors |
| Minor Group 6320 | Cooks, butchers and bakers |
| Unit Group 62200 | Chefs |
Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate that they have executed the duties outlined in the lead statement of the corresponding occupation in the NOC. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application.
Education
The Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada does not stipulate any educational requirements. Nevertheless, there are two ways to enhance your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score:
- By demonstrating that you have fulfilled your secondary/higher secondary education requirements at a Canadian institution, resulting in the attainment of a certificate, diploma, or degree.
- By obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to validate that your qualifications align with Canadian standards.
Language proficiency
To qualify for permanent residence in Canada under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you need to possess language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for reading and writing.
To verify your language proficiency, you are required to take language tests that are sanctioned by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To verify your language proficiency, you are required to take language tests that are sanctioned by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Proof of funds
Within the Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada, it is imperative to demonstrate sufficient funds to support both yourself and your family during your settlement in Canada. Additionally, you must provide evidence that you can legally work in Canada and possess a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Admissibility
Another crucial consideration is admissibility. It is essential to provide evidence that you are not deemed inadmissible to Canada due to criminal or health reasons. Various factors can lead to inadmissibility, and a significant cause for criminal inadmissibility is having a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Settle outside Quebec
When applying for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada, it is a requirement to have a settlement plan outside of Quebec. In your Express Entry profile, you might also be required to specify the province or territory where you intend to settle once granted permanent residence status. While settling in the indicated province or territory is not obligatory, if you receive a provincial nomination, you must settle in the same province or territory that nominated you.
At the provincial level, candidates will undergo a trade assessment, and the evaluation process varies for each province or territory. Moreover, certain trades are not regulated at the provincial or territorial level but rather at the federal level. Therefore, it is essential to contact the relevant authority to have your trade assessed.
Submitting the Express Entry profile
Following are the steps involved in submitting your Express Entry profile:
- Finding out the National Occupational Classification(NOC) code of your occupation
- Ensuring that you meet the eligibility requirements
- Creating the Express Entry
- Submitting the complete application for Canada PR once your receive an Express Entry invitation
- Documents required to apply for Canada PR under Federal Skilled Trades Program
While creating an Express Entry profile, you will need the following documents:
- Passport
- Language test results to prove your language proficiency
- Proof of Canadian education or Educational Credential Assessment report
- Provincial nomination (if applicable)
- Job offer (if applicable
- Proof of work experience
- Qualification certificate in a trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory (if applicable)
- Proof of settlement funds
If you receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in an Express Entry draw, you will need the following documents to submit the application:
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical clearance certificate
- Proof of funds
- Birth certificate
- Documents to prove your marital status
- Adoption certificate if your dependent child is adopted
Additional documents
- If you have a relative in Canada, documents to prove your relationship
- Digital photos to confirm your identity
- Any other documents you may feel relevant
Obtaining a Canadian trade qualification
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must possess a Canadian trade certificate or qualification in the relevant trade. To obtain this qualification, you should contact the respective authority. Additionally, it is necessary to travel to Canada to complete the required tests for obtaining the qualification. The authorities responsible for providing Canadian trade qualifications are as follows:
- Industry Training Authority(British Columbia)
- Ontario College of Trades
- Red Seal Program(Prince Edward Island)
- Alberta Apprentice ship and Industry Training
- Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division(Newfoundland)
- Red Seal Program(Nova Scotia)
- Apprenticeship Manitoba
- Red Seal Program(New Brunswick)
- Saskatchewan Apprentice
- ship and Trade Certification Commission
Do you wish to check your eligibility for obtaining Canada PR under Federal Skilled Trades Program(FSTP)? Connect with Canserves now!