Federal Skilled Trades Program
Permanent residence for skilled tradespeople — no university degree required. If you work in the trades, Canada wants your skills.
What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) is one of three federal immigration programs managed through Canada's Express Entry system. It provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled tradespeople who have hands-on work experience in an eligible trade. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, FST does not require a university education — your trade skills and experience are what matter most.
IRCC has conducted FST-specific Express Entry draws in the past, which have had significantly lower CRS cut-off scores than general draws. This makes the FST an attractive option for eligible tradespeople who may not score as high as FSW or CEC candidates.
Eligible Trade Sectors
FST covers a broad range of skilled trade sectors across Canada's key industries.
Construction
Industrial & Manufacturing
Natural Resources & Agriculture
Food Trades
Work Experience Requirements
2 Years · 3,120 Hours
Full-time paid work in an eligible trade within the last 5 years
All experience must be in the same NOC and in an eligible NOC group
You must have performed the actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description and most of the main duties listed
Work must meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the NOC
Work must be paid — wages or commission (volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count)
Experience must have been obtained in a country where you were qualified to practice that trade
How to Count Your Hours
Work experience gained while you were studying does not count toward FST minimum requirements.
Eligible NOC Groups
Your trade must fall within one of these National Occupational Classification groups. Click each group to see which trades are included.
Not sure which NOC applies to your trade? Our RCIC will review your specific occupation and duties to identify the correct NOC code before you submit your Express Entry profile.
Job Offer OR Certificate of Qualification
You must have either a valid job offer OR a certificate of qualification — you do not need both.
Valid Job Offer
A full-time employment offer for a total period of at least 1 year in your eligible skilled trade from a Canadian employer.
Language Requirements
Language Requirements — Express Entry Comparison
| Program | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | CLB 5 | CLB 5 | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) CLB 5 for TEER 2/3; CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 | CLB 5–7 | CLB 5–7 | CLB 5–7 | CLB 5–7 |
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 | CLB 7 |
Language test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your permanent residence application.
Accepted tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, or PTE Core (English); TEF Canada or TCF Canada (French)
Education
No Education Requirement
There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Want to Boost Your CRS Score Through Education?
Canadian education: earn CRS points for a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution
Foreign education: earn CRS points if you have a completed educational credential AND an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes
Proof of Funds
You must prove you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.
Exemption: You do not need proof of funds if you are currently able to legally work in Canada AND have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Cannot Settle in Quebec
You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a separate process. You can count work experience gained while living in Quebec, as long as you can prove you do not intend to settle there.
How Asteco Can Help
FST applications require precise NOC classification, careful documentation of trade experience, and strategic use of the Express Entry pool. Our RCIC team has the expertise to build the strongest possible file for skilled tradespeople.
Is Your Trade Eligible?
Our RCIC will assess your NOC, work experience, and language results to confirm your eligibility and build your Express Entry profile.
Book a ConsultationCheck My Eligibility — Free