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Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is an Express Entry pathway for qualified tradespeople with recent skilled-trade experience. Argus can help you assess your occupation, work history, language results and whether you meet the job-offer or Canadian certificate-of-qualification requirement.

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Overview

What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a federal economic immigration program managed through Express Entry for workers qualified in eligible skilled trades who intend to live outside Quebec.

Eligibility

Federal Skilled Trades Program eligibility

Applicants generally need at least 2 years of full-time skilled-trade work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, during the 5 years before applying. The experience must meet the NOC requirements for the trade. Work experience gained while studying does not count toward the minimum requirement.

Key requirements

Trade qualification, job offer and language

Job offer or certificate

You must have either a valid full-time job offer for at least 1 year or a Canadian certificate of qualification in your skilled trade.

Language

The current minimum is CLB/NCLC 5 for speaking and listening and CLB/NCLC 4 for reading and writing.

Education

There is no minimum education requirement, although education can contribute to CRS points.

Proof of funds

Most applicants need settlement funds unless an exemption applies.

Application process

How the FSTP and Express Entry process works

  1. Identify the correct skilled-trade NOC.
  2. Confirm the required trade experience.
  3. Confirm a qualifying job offer or certificate of qualification.
  4. Complete language testing.
  5. Create an Express Entry profile.
  6. After an ITA, submit the permanent residence application.
Documents

Documents commonly needed for FSTP

  • passport and civil-status documents;
  • language results;
  • employment and trade records;
  • job offer or qualification certificate;
  • proof of funds where required;
  • police, medical and family documents.
Common issues

Common FSTP application problems

  • experience outside the eligible skilled-trade framework;
  • counting student work;
  • job offer not meeting program rules;
  • duties not matching the NOC;
  • language scores below the minimum; and
  • confusing trade certification with immigration approval.
Professional support

How Argus can help with FSTP

Argus can review your trade occupation, work experience, job offer or qualification certificate, language results and Express Entry eligibility, then help prepare or review the profile and PR application.

FAQs

Federal Skilled Trades Program FAQs

Do I need a Canadian job offer?

You need either a qualifying full-time job offer for at least 1 year or a Canadian certificate of qualification.

Is education required?

No minimum education level is required.

What language score do I need?

CLB/NCLC 5 for speaking and listening and 4 for reading and writing.

Does student work count?

No, not toward the minimum FSTP work-experience requirement.

Official information

Current government sources

Immigration rules can change. These pages were reviewed against current official sources on September 23, 2026:

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Discuss your immigration case with Argus

Every application depends on the individual facts and the rules in force when you apply. A consultation can help identify the requirements, documents and issues most relevant to your situation.