The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is for people who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

Important Note: Recently, there have been significant changes to this program. New caps for this program came into place on May 1, 2014. There has also been a change to the list of eligible occupations. In addition, there will be major changes to the application process in January, 2015 when the new Express Entry system is implemented.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply under the Federal Skilled Trades program you must:

  • Meet the language requirements and submit language testing results
  • Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in an eligible skilled trade within the previous 5 years before you apply
  • Meet all the job requirements for your skilled trade as they are outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
  • Have an offer of full-time employment for a total of at least one year or  a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a provincial or territorial body