WHAT IS THE FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM (FSTP)?
People with skilled trades qualifications and experience can apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), which allows them to immigrate to Canada. The Canadian Federal Skilled Trades program attempts to attract and retain skilled tradespeople worldwide by providing them permanent residence in Canada.
WHAT IS EXPRESS ENTRY?
The Canada Express Entry program is one of Canada’s most popular and promising immigration programs. It is an application management system. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) uses a points-based system to rank or scrutinise applicants’ Express Entry profiles. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the Express Entry system to administer applications for three major Canadian immigration programs: Federal Skilled Trades Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FSTP, FSWP, AND CEC
Here are some of the basic differences between all 3 Federal Canada Express Entry Programs:
| Requirements | Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSTP) | Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
| Job Offer | Not Required | A letter from a company in Canada offering full-time employment for at least one year. | Not Required |
| Work Experience | Applicants should have at least 1 year of experience within the last 10 years. | Applicants should have at least 2 years of experience within the last 5 years. | Applicants should have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada. |
| Language Proficiency | Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7: English or French | Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5: Speaking and Listening and CLB 4: Reading and Writing | Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)/NCLC 7: National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill level 0 and A and CLB/NCLC 5: NOC skill level B |
| Type/Level of Work | Categories Under NOC Skilled Group NOC : 0, A or B. | Categories Under NOC Trade Group NOC : 0, A or B. | Canadian experience in 1 NOC : 0, A or B. |
| Definition | This program is for overseas skilled workers who have international work experience. | It is for skilled foreign nationals who are willing to relocate to Canada to start their trade there. | It assists temporary foreign employees and overseas students with work experience in Canada to obtain PR. |
| Education | Secondary Education | Not Required | Not Required |
| Financial Evidence | Proof of funds is required | Proof of funds or an offer letter is required. | Not Required |
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE CANADIAN FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM (FSTP)?
Some benefits of the federal skilled worker programs are mentioned below:
- FSTP candidates are not required to prove their level of education.
- Candidates do not require a Canadian connection to give an application.
- An invitation from IRCC is possible with a low CRS score.
- An opportunity to settle in Canada
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM (FSTP)?
You must meet the following conditions to apply for the FSTP:
- Have legitimate job offers for at least one year of continuous, paid, full-time employment (at least 30 hours per week
- Present confirmation of basic language competency from a recognized language testing agency, proving that the applicant satisfies the IRCC’s minimum thresholds for speaking and listening (CLB 5) and reading and writing (CLB 4)
- In the five years prior to applying, have earned 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in the skilled trade; and be able to demonstrate the abilities and experience, as well as that they have executed the essential functions of the occupation.
FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES POINTS CALCULATOR
The Federal Skilled Trades Program Canada Points Calculator is a point-based evaluation that assists the Federal Government of Canada in selecting qualified candidates with high skills and relevant work experience. To qualify, candidates must receive 67 points out of a possible 100. Candidates who are chosen can live and work in Canada under Canadian immigration before applying for Canadian Permanent Residency.
The Six Selection Factors in the Canadian Federal Skilled Trades Program Points Calculator are as follows:
- Language
- Age
- Work Experience
- Education
- Arranged Employment in Canada Points
- Adaptability Points
WHAT ARE THE MOST DEMANDED JOBS UNDER THE FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM?
Only 3000 applications are approved each year under this visa category by the government. For Category A, the IRCC considers at most 100 applications per year for processing, although there is no limit for Category B. In this group, are 43 vocations separated into two categories: A and B.
Categorization A:
Because these are occupations with moderate labor market demand, Category A has a cap of 100 applications:
- 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- 7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades.
- 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- 7271 Carpenters
- 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanical trades
- 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry
- 8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
- 8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling services
- 8241 Logging machinery operators
- 8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialised livestock workers
- 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
- 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
- 9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
- 9241 Power engineers and power systems operators
- 9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators
Categorization B:
It is made up of jobs that are in high demand:
- 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- 7233 Sheet metal workers
- 7235 Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters
- 7236 Ironworkers
- 7237 Welders and related machine operators
- 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- 7242 Industrial electricians
- 7243 Power system electricians
- 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
- 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
- 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
- 7251 Plumbers
- 7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
- 7253 Gasfitters
- 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- 7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- 7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- 7314 Railway carmen/women
- 7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- 7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics
- 7371 Crane operators
- 7372 Drillers and blasters – surface, mining, quarrying and construction
- 7373 Water well drillers
- 8231 Underground production and development miners
- 8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
- 9232 Petroleum, gas and chemical process operator.
THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF THE NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION (NOC) APPLY TO SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE SUITABLE FOR THE FSTP:
- Industrial, electrical, and construction industries make up Major Group 72.
- Trades in maintenance and equipment operation (Major Group 73);
- Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production make up Major Group 82.
- Supervisory and technical positions in natural resources, agriculture, and related production are classified as Major Group 83.
- Supervisory and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture, and processing, manufacturing, and utilities – Major Group 84;
- Major Group 92 includes supervisors and central control operators in the processing, manufacturing, and utility industries.
- Chefs and cooks are in Minor Group 632, while butchers and bakers are in Minor Group 633.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR THE FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM (FSTP)?
Step 1
Make sure you have at least two years of experience in the field.
Step 2
Verify that your trade is included on the list.
Step 3
Verify that you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Step 4
Make a profile for Express Entry.
Step 5
Under the CRS, improve your profile and ranking.
Step 6
You will be sent an invitation to apply.
Step 7
Submit an e-application after completing a medical exam and security background checks.
Step 8
Your electronic application is assessed.
Step 9
Get your permanent resident status confirmed and finish your paperwork.
Step 10
Obtain your Permanent Resident Card.
Applicants who use the Express Entry (EE) method to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) must pay the following fees:
- The main applicant must pay an application cost of $825 Canadian Dollars.
- The spouse/common-law partner’s application fee is $825 Canadian Dollars.
- The application price is $225 Canadian Dollars for each dependent child.
- The main applicant must pay a cost of $500 Canadian dollars for the right to permanent residence.
- Spouse/common-law partner’s Right of Permanent Residence is 500 Canadian Dollars.
- The PR charge is waived for dependent children.
- The main applicant’s biometrics price is 85 Canadian dollars.
- For two or more people in one Federal Skilled Trades Program visa application, the biometrics charge is 170 Canadian Dollars.
- Dependent children are those under the age of 22 in the case of EE. Children who are 22 years old or older but suffer from incapacitating physical or mental disorders that prevent them from being financially self-sufficient are also deemed ‘dependent.’
SETTLEMENT FUNDS REQUIRED FOR THE CANADA FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM
A valid work permit to work lawfully in Canada, or a valid job offer from a Canadian business, or proof of financial resources.
The amount of proof of funds in your bank account depends from how many family members you list in your EE profile:
| Number of family members | Funds Required (in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $13,310 |
| 2 | $16,570.00 |
| 3 | $20,371.00 |
| 4 | $24,733 |
| 5 | $28,052 |
| 6 | $31,638 |
| 7 | $35,224.00 |
| For each additional family member | $3,586 |
Disclaimer: The price and expenses are subject to vary based on Canadian government notifications.
You should also think about the cost of living in the city where you want to live. Living prices may be greater in cities with more work prospects (such as Vancouver, Toronto, and others).
PROCESSING TIME OF FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM:
The majority of Federal Skilled Trades Program applications are processed in six months.
WHY ALWAYS CONSIDER BASICS OF IMMIGRATION?
- Expert Visa counselors provide Step-by-step guidance through a secure, online process.
- Apt evaluation of credentials and faster visa processing.
- Identifying all potential hazards and roadblocks in securing a visa.
- Assistance with documentation, immigration rules, citizenship, and border control procedures.
- Multiple case assessment for better conflict resolution.
- Designated process managers to provide personalized guidance.
Just like the basics of anything act as “building blocks” forming a strong foundation for constructing complex structures. The Basics of Immigration serve as the foundational elements of moving abroad, for any aspiring immigrant.