FST - SKILLED TRADES


EXAMPLES OF OCCUPATIONS THAT COULD QUALIFY UNDER THE FST PROGRAM

    • Industrial, electrical and construction trade
    • Maintenance and equipment operation trades
    • Supervisors and technical occupations in national resources, agriculture and production
    • Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
    • Chefs and cooks
    • Butchers and bakers

Federal Skilled Trades Program applications are assessed based on an applicant's ability to become economically established upon immigration to Canada. The FST Program allows individuals with job offers or appropriate certification to work in certain occupations to obtain Canadian Permanent Residency in any Province or Territory other than Quebec.

As of January 1, 2015, FST Program applications are being processed through the Express Entry system for immigration to Canada. Candidates eligible under the FST Program must first make an interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online Express Entry profile.

In order to qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa, Canadian FST applicants must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  1. Have offers of employment from up to two employers in Canada of at least one year duration or a Certificate of Qualification from a provincial or territorial body;

  2. Provide proof of basic language proficiency from a designated language testing organization, demonstrating that the applicant meets the minimum threshold set by the Minister based on the Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB);

  3. Have obtained twenty-four months of qualified work experience in the skilled trade in the last five years; and

  4. Be able to demonstrate the skills and experience and that they have performed the essential duties of the occupation. All National Occupational Classification (NOC) B level occupations will be eligible for this program.