The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of Canada’s three programs for processing permanent resident applications under the Express Entry system.

The FST program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. This category was introduced with the intention to help fill Canada’s growing labour shortages in certain skilled trades by facilitating immigration through selection criteria that better reflect tradespersons’ specifics, putting more emphasis on practical experience.

The FST class is based on a pass/fail model which includes selection criteria in which a prospective FST candidate must meet.

What are the requirements

To be eligible for FST, you must have worked in a skilled trade for at least two years (or an equivalent amount in part-time).

This must have taken place within the previous five years, and it only counts as work experience acquired after an individual has been authorized to practice their trade in their own country of citizenship.

Skilled trades are defined as follows in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC):

GroupTrade
Major Group 72Industrial, electrical and construction trades
Major Group 73Maintenance and equipment operation trades
Major Group 82Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
Major Group 92Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
Minor Group 632Chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633Butchers and bakers
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Is proof of funds required

To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Trades program, you will need to show that you meet the settlement funds requirement unless you:

  • are currently authorized to work in Canada, and
  • have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

For proof, you must have official correspondence from any banks or financial institutions where you keep money.

The amount of money necessary for settlement is determined by the number of members in your application.

Please see the chart below for how much money you’ll require based on your family size:

Family membersFamily members funds required (CAD)
1$13,310
2$16,570
3$20,371
4$24,733
5$28,052
6$31,638
7$35,224
For each additional family member$3,586

Can I apply from outside of Canada

Yes. You may apply from outside Canada as long as you fulfil the FST eligibility.