Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

An immigration pathway to becoming a Canadian permanent resident based on their qualifications in a skilled trade is the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Express Entry, one of the federal immigration programs, manages this program for Canada PR Visas.

A semi-skilled foreign trader is invited to work and settle in Canada under the Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program. Read on to learn more about the FSTP program and how you can obtain permanent residence if you possess experience in a skilled trade that is on the list of in-demand occupations in Canada.

Under the Canadian Express Entry system, the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is one of three federal immigration programs.

Programs under the Express Entry System:

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program or FSTP
  • Canadian Experience Class or CEC
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program or FSWP

Express Entry is open to candidates with a minimum of two years’ experience in a skilled trade listed under the NOC.

Canadian permanent residency is not guaranteed by submitting an Express Entry profile. You will be invited to apply for a PR visa only if you meet the standard requirements set by the Canadian Government after submitting your application. Your CRS score greatly influences your invitation.

Canada PR Visa through FSTP: Advantages

  • For FSTP candidates, a low CRS score of 199 points is required.
  • CRS points are also increased with a valid job offer.
  • Low IELTS score.

What are the minimum requirements for FSTP?

The minimum eligibility requirements to apply for a Canada PR visa through FSTP are given below:

  1. For speaking and listening, a CLB level of 5 is required; for reading and writing, a CLB level of 4 is required.
  2. In the last 5 years, you must have worked in a skilled occupation for a minimum of 2 years.
  3. Meet all job requirements for that skilled trade as outlined in the National Occupational Classification except for a certificate of qualification.
  4. Hold a full-time job offer in this skilled trade for a period of at least one year with at least two Canadian employers OR hold a provincial or territorial qualification certificate in the skilled trade.

Federal Skilled Trades Program: Eligibility Criteria

Factor of Eligibility Requirements to Meet
Age Not specified
Work Experience One year of work in the NOC-specified occupations
2 years working experience in a skilled trade profession.
In the last five years, an equivalent amount of part-time work has been performed
Language Their fluency in the English language (passed in IELTS General examination)
French language fluency (passed in CELPIP General examination)
Education Studied for two years toward Ph.D. (from a recognized institution in Canada)
Already had a Ph.D. (from a recognized institution in Canada)
Arranged Employment A Canadian employer has offered a permanent and full-time job
Arranged employment through a Labour Market Opinion qualification.
Adaptability Not specified

Federal Skilled Trades Program: Documents Requirement

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the following documentation is required:

  • Your identification proof, like your passport
  • Their identification proof of family member (if they are moving as well)
  • The General Application Form for Immigration
  • Fee payment slip
  • Education certificate that is ECA-verified
  • Diploma, degrees, official transcripts
  • IELTS exam and the CELPIP test results.
  • Offer letter from a Canadian employer.
  • Reference letter from the previous employer
  • Proof of skilled job performance.
  • Pension fund or employment contract as proof of work experience.
  • Medical certificate from a verified practitioner
  • Clean police certificate
  • Proof of funds for permanent settlement in Canada
  • Marriage Certificate when migrating with a spouse

Procedure: Federal Skilled Worker Program

Immigrating to Canada through the FSTP program requires expertise and preparation that can be swayed easily with the help of an expert. Here is how to do it.

Step 1: To complete the FSTP application, you will need the following documents.

  • Passport
  • Language Test Results
  • Educational Credential Assessment Report
  • Provincial Nomination
  • Written Job Offer from Employer

Step 2: Submit Your Application – The highest CRS scores will receive an ITA to apply for permanent residence based on an Express Entry pool draw every 2 weeks.

Step 3: Accept the Invitation to Apply – In order to prove that the information you provided is accurate and true, you will need to submit supporting documents through your Express Entry account.

Canada PR Visa through FSTP: Process

By following the steps below, you can apply for a Canada PR Visa through the Federal Skilled Trades Program:

Step 1: The applicant must have two years of relevant work experience in a skilled trade recognized by the IRCC.

Step 2: FSTP requirements must be met.

Step 3: Get your profile submitted to the express entry pool by creating an express entry profile.

Step 4: ITA receiving in the draw through express entry.

Step 5: Your PR Visa application must be submitted to the IRCC with the proper documents.

Step 6: Application review by IRCC.

Step 7: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) status

Process Costs

Costs involved in the FSTP through the Express Entry (EE) pathway:

Process Cost
Main Applicant 825 CAD
Spouse/common-law partner 825 CAD
Each dependent child 225 CAD
Right of Permanent Residence fee (Main Applicant) 500 CAD
Right of Permanent Residence fee (spouse/common-law partner) 500 CAD
The biometrics fee (main applicant)  85 CAD
The biometrics fee (two or more people) in one FSTP visa application 170 CAD.

Dependent children are exempted from the PR fee.

Reason to Choose Pi Overseas:

  • Consultations at Pi Overseas are provided by professional and authorized immigration consultants
  • A step-by-step guide to the eligibility and application process
  • Our online process is secure and transparent
  • For any process, there is a system addressing complaints for a smooth consumer experience.
  • Having processed thousands of applications
  • We assess every case multiple times before submitting it
  • Qualifications and other skills are evaluated by our certified experts for error-free proceeding.

If you are willing to know more about the Canada PR Visa process, you can certainly contact us by writing us an email at mail@pioverseas.com and one of our experts will help you out in every possible way. Call us at +91-9310-10-6988 or you can also receive a call back from our expert once you fill out the inquiry form. You can also talk to our experts directly through our live chat feature and clear your doubts instantaneously.

We at Pi Overseas have a team of dedicated experts that cater to every need of the clients. We have a proven track record in the immigration industry which was achieved in a very short span of time. Our experts will help and guide you through every step of the filing process and keep you posted throughout the whole cumbersome process of visa filing.

Let’s Start Your Visa Journey — Contact Us Today