Federal Skilled Trade Program: Know Your Eligibility

If you are in a trade occupation and have always dreamt of settling abroad, Canada offers you a chance to seek your fortune.

The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program is a federal economic immigration program that prioritizes workers’ immigration to Canada in trade occupations. If you are a qualified tradesperson and meet the FST requirements, you are likely to immigrate to Canada permanently.

So, let’s explore the requirements of the FST program.   

FST Program Requirements

Minimum Requirements

To qualify for Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, you need to possess the following:

• Meet the standard language levels for each language ability related to reading, writing, speaking, and listening
• Have at least 2 years of work experience full-time or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience in a skilled trade in the immediate 5 years before the application.
• The work experience must be associated with paid work such as earned commission or paid wages. Your unpaid internships or volunteer work won’t be counted.
• Meet the job requirements concerning the skilled trade as designated in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• Have valid full-time employment or at least 1 year of work experience.
• Have a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian territorial, provincial, or federal authority

Akrami & Associates have years of experience in handling FST cases. We are here to guide you in every step of the FST application!  

Skilled work experience

The NOC code in Canada defines skilled trades considering the following occupation groups:

• Major group 72: Electrical, construction, and industrial trades
• Major group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades
• Major group 82: Technical and supervisor jobs in agriculture, natural resources, and other related production
• Major group 92: Manufacturing, processing, utility supervisors, and central control operators
• Minor group 632: Cooks and Chefs
• Minor group 633: Bakers and Butchers

You must highlight that you performed the duties marked in the lead statement of the NOC’s occupational description. It includes all the essential duties listed.

Education

The FST Program lacks an education requirement. However, to stand ahead of the crowd and get your rank better in the Express Entry, you have two ways:

1. If you went to a school in Canada, you are likely to obtain points for a diploma, degree, or certificate from a Canadian institution.
2. If you possess a foreign education, you will get points for a completed educational credential suggesting that your education is equal to a completed course of the Canadian counterparts.   

Language ability

You need to:

• Accomplish the minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for reading and writing, and Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening
• Take language tests for reading, writing, speaking, and listening
• Incorporate the test results in your Express Entry profile  

Proof of Funds

You must present that you have adequate money to settle in Canada, except

• You are currently able to work legally in Canada
• Possess a valid job offer from a Canadian employer   

If a candidate meets all these requirements, he/she is eligible to apply for an Express Entry profile concerning the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program. However, the candidates must meet the basic admissibility requirements of Canada. Your entry to Canada can be denied due to definite medical conditions or criminal offences.

Akrami & Associates is at your service to help you with immigration needs. Consult with our FST experts to avail a seamless Visa process.   

Final Thoughts

Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program permits a foreign national in trades occupation to become a permanent resident of Canada. Through Express Entry System, a skilled trade worker can enter Canada, if they meet the eligibility requirements. Akrami & Associates has dealt with multiple FST cases. Contact our team to get expert advice on creating an Express Entry profile, Visa, and other FST documents.