Federal Skilled Trades Program

Who is it for?

Qualified, experienced tradespersons from around the world who want to immigrate to Canada.

How does it work?

Eligible candidates must create an Express Entry profile and be invited to apply before submitting an application through Express Entry (see above for details).

What’s the advantage?

• IRCC has previously conducted program-specific draws for federal skilled trades candidates only, with a CRS cut-off threshold far below what other candidates have needed in order to be invited to apply.
• One way of being eligible as a tradesperson is to get a job offer in your trade from a Canadian employer. As well as helping you to become eligible, you may then also receive additional CRS points for the job offer. This will increase your chances of being invited to apply.
• The language ability criteria to enter the Express Entry pool is set lower for federal skilled trades candidates than it is for FSWC and CEC candidates.

How much does it cost?

About $1,500–$2,000, including educational and language assessments, obtaining documents, and payment of fees, if you complete the process yourself.

How long does it take?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to process applications within six months.

Other considerations

Eligibility for the program does not guarantee that an invitation to apply for immigration to Canada will be issued or that permanent residence will be granted.

Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates must:

• meet the required language levels for each language ability (speaking, reading, listening, and writing) by submitting results of a language test recognized by the government of Canada. The required minimum results are Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing;
• have accumulated at least two years of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work experience) in the skilled trade during the five previous years;
• be able to demonstrate that the skills and experience gained covers the essential duties of the occupation; and
• have a full-time offer of employment in that skilled trade for a period of at least one year from up to two Canadian employers OR hold a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.