Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program : Your Pathway to Permanent Residency
The Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the three immigration programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system. It is designed specifically for skilled tradespeople who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on their qualifications and work experience in skilled manual occupations.
Eligibility for Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program
To apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program , you’ll need to meet a few basic requirements. These ensure you have the skills and qualifications to successfully settle and contribute to life in Canada. To be eligible, you must:
1. Skilled Work Experience
2. Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
3. Language Proficiency
4. Education
5. Proof of Funds
6. Admissibility
Please note that: The FSTP is for those who plan to live outside the province of Quebec, which has its own skilled worker program.
Stage 1 : When Creating Your Express Entry Profile (Before ITA)
At this point, you only need documents to prove your eligibility and calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Here’s what you must have:
Stage 2 : After You Receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply)
After getting an ITA will you need to upload supporting documents, like:
| Documents | Needed for Profile | Needed After ITA |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Language test result | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| ECA (foreign education only) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Job offer | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Work experience | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Proof of fund | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Police certificate | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Medical Exam | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Fill Out the Application Form
Your ITA is valid for 60 days. It’s important to start your application promptly to gather all the required information and documents before the deadline. This means you must submit your application within 60 days from the date the ITA was issued, or it will be removed from the system.
Please note the form will inquire if you’ve previously applied to IRCC. This refers to full applications like visas or work permits; merely creating an Express Entry profile doesn’t count. If you decline the ITA, you’ll return to the Express Entry pool and may be considered in future invitation rounds, provided you remain eligible.
If your not invited to appy,
If you don’t receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within that time, it will automatically be removed from the system. You’ll be notified through your online account.
Profiles not selected within a year are automatically deleted. You can check the expiration date in your Express Entry dashboard.
Avoid submitting a new profile while your current one is still active. If you want to start over early, be sure to withdraw your existing profile first. You can always reapply to the Express Entry pool by creating a new profile after your original one expires.
Express Entry profiles are only valid for 12 months. If you aren’t invited during that period, the system will automatically remove your profile and alert you via your account.
Once your profile expires, you’ll no longer be in the candidate pool, and the system will notify you. You may then submit a brand-new profile.
** Please note If you decline an ITA, don’t worry you’ll be put back into the Express Entry pool of candidates. You’ll be considered in future rounds of invitations, if you’re still eligible. The cut-off score varies from round to round. **
After apporval What You’ll Receive
After approval, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), which includes your personal details and photograph. You will also receive a Permanent Resident (PR) visa if you’re from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada.
If you’re inside Canada, IRCC will contact you via email to confirm your presence and provide access to the Permanent Residence Portal. They will create an account for you, so there’s no need to set one up yourself. You will receive your electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (e-COPR) through the portal.
If You’re Outside Canada, you have to carry your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), PR visa (if applicable), and a valid regular passport. Bring proof of funds unless exempt.
At the port of entry, present your documents to the CBSA officer, who will verify your identity and eligibility. If everything is in order, you’ll be granted entry as a permanent resident.
** After arriving in Canada, you must provide your Canadian mailing address to IRCC to receive your PR card. If your address changes within 180 days, update it using IRCC’s web form. You can use your COPR or e-COPR to apply for essential services such as a Social Insurance Number (SIN), healthcare, and other newcomer support programs. **
Who Falls Under Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program Category?
People eligible for the FSTP typically work in hands-on, manual trades such as:
Major Group 72: Technical Trades and Transportation Officers
Major Group 73: General Trades Workers
Major Group 82: Supervisors and Technicians 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 and Central Control Operators
Major Group 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932): Central Control and Process Operators
Minor Group 6320: Cooks and Chefs
Unit Group 62200: Butchers and Bakers
How much money you need to live in Canada ?
The amount of money you need to support your family is based the size of your family. This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application. Showing proof of funds is mandatory for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The table below outlines the general amount of money required to support yourself in Canada, whether you’re moving alone, with your family, or with additional dependents.
| Number of Family Members | Fund you need (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | CAD $14,690 |
| 2 | CAD $18,288 |
| 3 | CAD $22,483 |
| 4 | CAD $27,297 |
| 5 | CAD $30,690 |
| 6 | CAD $34,917 |
| 7 | CAD $38,875 |
| More than 7 and for each additional dependents | CAD $ 3,958 |
Who Needs a Police Certificate?
You’ll need to get police certificates for yourself and any family members who are 18 or older. These certificates should cover any country where you or your family members have lived for six months or more in the last ten years. Don’t worry, though you don’t need to provide certificates for time spent in Canada or for periods before you turned 18. That said, after you apply, the immigration officer might ask for additional police certificates for any time you’ve spent in other countries since you turned 18. So, it’s a good idea to be ready just in case.
How to Get a Police Certificate ?
To get a police certificate, you usually need to contact the police or relevant government authority in the country where you lived. They may ask for personal details like your photo, fingerprints, and past addresses, and you’ll likely need to pay a fee. If the certificate is not in English or French, you must also include a certified translation along with the original document. For specific steps based on your country, refer to the official IRCC website.
If You Can’t Obtain a Police Certificate in Time What will Do?
If you’re unable to get a police certificate in time after being invited to apply, don’t panic. You can still submit your application within the 60 day period. Just include a simple explanation in the police certificate section, especially if the country you’re applying from requires an official request from IRCC. Also, attach any proof that shows you’ve already requested the certificate like a payment receipt, tracking number, or a letter from the authority explaining the delay. As long as you clearly show that you’ve made a genuine effort, the officer reviewing your application will take that into account.