Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST): PR for Qualified Tradespeople

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is one of the three programs managed through Express Entry. It exists because many trades are in short supply across Canada, and tradespeople often do not score well on education-heavy points systems. FST has no education requirement and a lower language minimum than the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

The catch is the job offer or certificate rule. You need either a real job offer from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian authority. That makes FST hard to use without some connection to Canada.

Work experience

• At least 2 years of full-time work (3,120 hours) or an equal amount of part-time work in one skilled trade.
• Gained within the 5 years before you apply, after you were qualified to work in that trade independently.
• Your duties must match the National Occupational Classification (NOC) description of the trade.

Job offer or certificate of qualification

You need one of these:

• A valid offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year (from up to two employers), usually supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) unless an exemption applies. See LMIA work permits.
• A certificate of qualification in your trade from a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority. This usually means passing a trade exam in Canada.

Language

Check your scores with the CLB converter.

Other rules

• Show proof of funds unless you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
• Be admissible to Canada and plan to live outside Quebec.

FST covers skilled trades in these NOC groups, as listed by IRCC:

• Major group 72: technical trades and transportation officers and controllers (for example electricians, plumbers, welders, machinists).
• Major group 73: general trades (for example carpenters, roofers, heavy equipment operators).
• 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.
• Minor group 6320: cooks, butchers, and bakers.
• Unit group 62200: chefs.

IRCC's FST page lists a few exclusions within these groups, so check your exact NOC code on the official eligibility page before you rely on it.

Once you are in the pool, you are ranked on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). FST-only draws are rare. In practice, most tradespeople are invited through:

• The trades category. In 2026 IRCC runs category-based draws for a list of trade occupations, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, and heating and refrigeration mechanics. You can qualify through any Express Entry program if you have 12 months of recent experience in one of them. See trades category.
• General or CEC draws, if your score is high enough or you have Canadian experience.
• Provincial nominations, which add 600 CRS points. Many provinces target trades. See PNP.

A job offer helps you meet FST eligibility, but it no longer adds CRS points. IRCC removed those points on March 25, 2025.

Estimate your score with the CRS calculator and track cutoffs on the Express Entry draws tracker.

Trades are regulated by provinces and territories, not the federal government. Each has its own apprenticeship and certification authority. To get certified you usually:

1. Apply to the provincial trade authority to have your foreign experience assessed.
2. Pass a written exam (and sometimes a practical test).
3. Receive a certificate of qualification for that province.

Some trades carry a Red Seal endorsement, which is recognized across provinces. Many compulsory trades, such as electrician and plumber, require a certificate before you can work unsupervised. Check the requirements in the province where you plan to live; see the province hubs such as Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

As of September 2026 (fees rose on April 30, 2026), IRCC charges these fees for economic programs such as Express Entry and the PNP, in Canadian dollars:

Biometrics cost $85 per person, or $170 for a family applying together. Check the IRCC fee list before paying, because fees change. Add the cost of language tests, trade assessments or exams, medicals, and police certificates.

FST applicants must show settlement funds unless they are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer:

These amounts were updated by IRCC on July 7, 2025, and no 2026 update had been published as of September 22, 2026. IRCC normally updates them once a year, so check the official proof of funds page. Family size includes your spouse and dependent children even if they are not coming with you.

IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications in about 6 months after you apply. Check the IRCC processing times tool or our processing times page for current times.

You can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children under 22 in your application. They become permanent residents with you, and each must pass medical and security checks. Your spouse's language scores and education can add CRS points, so check whether you or your spouse should be the principal applicant.

Job offers for tradespeople are a common target for fraud. A real employer does not charge you for a job offer or an LMIA; charging a worker for an LMIA is not allowed. Read scam protection before you pay anyone. If you have a past refusal or a criminal record, including impaired driving, talk to a lawyer or licensed consultant (RCIC) before you apply, and see inadmissibility.