Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. It is set out in section 87.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. It has the lowest language minimum of the three federal programs and no education requirement. Work experience can be gained in Canada or abroad.

In practice, few people are invited under this program itself. IRCC's 2026 consultation report says approximately 5 tradespeople a year are invited through the FST, and most tradespeople apply through the Canadian Experience Class. IRCC held seven rounds only for FST candidates between May 2017 and August 2020, and none since.

The main reason is the order IRCC uses. If you are eligible for more than one program, IRCC invites you under the Canadian Experience Class first, then the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and only then the FST. A tradesperson with a year of skilled Canadian work, or who meets the Federal Skilled Worker rules, is invited under one of those programs. This order does not apply in a round held only for one program, so an FST-only round remains possible.

A trade category round is not an FST round. Trade occupation rounds select candidates by occupation. The category itself does not require a certificate of qualification or a job offer, but you must still meet the rules of your program. In 2026, IRCC held two trade occupation rounds with 6,500 invitations, with cut-offs of 476 and 477. For many tradespeople, this category is the route that is actually running.

This program is worth considering if:

• You work in one of the eligible skilled trades and have at least 2 years in that one trade within the last 5 years, after becoming qualified to practise it.
• You hold a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province, territory or federal authority, or you have a valid job offer of at least 1 year.
• Your language is below CLB 7 but at least CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
• You do not qualify for the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Look at other routes if:

• You also qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, which has fewer requirements. IRCC usually invites you under that class instead.
• You meet the Federal Skilled Worker rules. IRCC usually invites you under that program instead.
• Your occupation is on the trade occupations category list. Trade category rounds are held more often than FST-only rounds.
• Your experience was gained before you were qualified to practise the trade independently. That time does not count.
• A provincial nomination may be another route. See the Provincial Nominee Program page.

How hours are counted: 30 hours a week for 24 months equals 2 years (3,120 hours). Part-time work also counts, for example 15 hours a week for 48 months. Hours above 30 a week are not counted, and work done while you were studying does not count. IRCC's FST page also mentions 1,560 hours in its part-time paragraph, but its own examples and the regulations require 3,120 hours.

Eligible trades are in these NOC groups: Major Group 72 (technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, except Sub-major Group 726), Major Group 73 (general trades), Major Group 82 (supervisors 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 utilities operators and controllers), Major Group 93 (central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, except Sub-major Group 932), Minor Group 6320 (cooks, butchers and bakers) and Unit Group 62200 (chefs).

Job offer rules: the offer can come from up to two employers. It must be for continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week) lasting at least 1 year after you become a permanent resident, in your skilled trade, and it must be genuine. It cannot come from an embassy, high commission or consulate.

Certificate of qualification: it shows you passed a certification exam and meet all the requirements to practise your trade in the province or territory that issued it. Each province and territory has its own requirements and process. You may have to go there to be assessed or need a Canadian employer to give you experience and training. If the province or territory where you plan to live does not certify your trade, you need a valid job offer instead. For federally regulated trades, such as aircraft mechanics, start with the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.

Proof of funds: a certificate of qualification on its own does not exempt you. Only applicants who are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer are exempt.

There is no selection grid. The FST is pass or fail on the requirements above, and you are ranked by your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score once you are in the pool.

Points that matter for tradespeople: a certificate of qualification adds 25 skill transferability points with CLB 5 or higher in all abilities, or 50 with CLB 7 or higher. Since November 3, 2026, a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation earns 50, 70 or 100 points. Several trades are on IRCC's high-wage list, for example power system electricians, steamfitters and pipefitters, industrial electricians and heavy-duty equipment mechanics. Canadian experience in a high-wage trade can also earn 20, 40 or 70 extra points.

An officer may replace the requirements with their own judgment if they are not a good indicator of whether you will become economically established in Canada, whether or not you meet them. Another officer must agree.

Candidates invited in trade category rounds are invited under the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker Program if they are eligible for one of them. The trade category has its own occupation list, which is different from the FST's list of eligible NOC groups. See the Category-based selection page.

1. 1

   Confirm your trade and NOC

   Check that your trade is in an eligible NOC group and that all your experience is in the same NOC code.

2. 2

   Get a certificate or a job offer

   Contact the trades authority of the province or territory where you plan to live to be assessed, or obtain a valid job offer of at least 1 year.

3. 3

   Take an approved language test

   CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your profile and when you apply.

4. 4

   Submit your Express Entry profile

   Complete it within 60 days. Include your certificate and any job offer. Your profile can stay in the pool for up to 12 months.

5. 5

   Respond to an invitation within 60 days

   Document that your experience came after you were qualified, get your upfront medical exam and police certificates, and prepare proof of funds unless you are exempt.

6. 6

   Biometrics and decision

   Give biometrics within 30 days of IRCC's letter. If approved, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence.

IRCC says it updates the funds table every year, so check before you apply. Processing times shown below come live from IRCC's processing times tool.

If approved, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if you need one, a permanent resident visa. The COPR cannot be extended.