Table of Contents
What is FST Program
This program permits foreign nationals with professional trades skills and work experience paving the way for the skilled worker and their family to gain permanent residence in Canada.
This program was launched in 2013 and is an integral part of the Canada’s Express Entry immigration system which requires an individual to complete an online profile and each profile is assigned a score. This score is primarily based on age, education, experience, language skills, adaptability, job offer and provincial nomination.
Unlike the other two programs in the Express Entry system, this program requires a full-time job offer OR certificate of qualification in a qualified skilled trade from a provincial, federal or territorial governing body
What is the eligibility criteria for the FST program?
Minimum Eligibility criteria for this program is:
1) 2 years of full time work experience in last 5 years (Skill type B only)
2) Minimum CLB 4 (reading, writing) and CLB 5 (listening, speaking) on a recognized language proficiency test
3) Job Offer OR certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by Canadian governing body
Skilled Work Experience
Must demonstrate work experience in one of the following groups of the National Occupation Classification (NOC):
Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers
Foreign national must have worked minimum for 2 years out of the last 5 years. The experience gained must have been for paid work and must meet the lead statement/job description as set out in the NOC unless you have a certificate of qualification.
Unpaid internships or volunteer work will not work towards work experience requirement.
Language
Foreign nationals must take an approved language test for English or French. CELPIP and IELTS are approved language tests for English.
TEF Canada and TCF Canada are approved language tests for French.
You must obtain minimum of CLB 4 (reading and writing component) and CLB 5 (listening and speaking component).
Language test results are valid for 2 years from the date of their issuance.
Education
To qualify under this program, education is not necessary. However, you may gain extra points for Canadian or foreign education.
For Canadian education, you must provide your degree or diploma.
For foreign education, educational credential assessment report is required which must be assessed by an approved designated organization. To see the list of designated organizations, please click here.
Proof of Funds
You must be able to demonstrate you’ve sufficient funds to support your family while settling in Canada. This is not applicable for foreign nationals who possess Canadian work permit AND have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Admissibility
You must not be inadmissible. To learn more about inadmissibility, please click here.
Where you can live in Canada
You may plan to live anywhere in Canada EXCEPT Quebec. Province of Quebec has its own immigration streams. To learn more about Quebec skilled worker immigration stream, please click here.
What is a certificate of Qualification?
COQ certifies the foreign national has the skill and experience to practice in a given skilled trade within Canada. In order to get this certificate, the foreign national has to pass a certified exam and meet the requirements of the organization regulating the practice.
Which governing bodies regulate the skilled trades in Canada?
In order to find out which body regulates the trade in your province or territory, please click here
How much settlement fund is required under this stream?
| Number of family members | Required funds (in CAD) |
| 1 (single applicant) | $13,213 |
| 2 | $16,449 |
| 3 | $20,222 |
| 4 | $24,553 |
| 5 | $27,847 |
| 6 | $31,407 |
| 7 | $34,967 |
| For each additional family member, add | $3,560 |
You do not need to show settlement funds if you’re authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer .
To calculate the amount of funds required, include yourself, your spouse and dependent children irrespective of whether they are accompanying you or not.
Can my family members accompany in my FST application?
Yes. The foreign national may include his immediate family members with their federal skilled worker application. The CRS score may be affected when you include your spouse and children.
Will my medical condition or adverse criminal background affect my application?
Your medical condition or adverse criminal background can make you inadmissible to Canada. However, inadmissibility can be overcome depending upon the nature of the criminal offence or the medical condition. Please contact our immigration consultant to learn how your inadmissibility basis can be managed.
What is the processing fee for this program?
| Fees | $CAN |
| Your application | 1,325 |
| Processing fee ($825) | |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($500) | |
| Your application (without right of permanent residence fee) | 825 |
| Include your spouse or partner | 1,325 |
| Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500) | |
| Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee) | 825 |
| Include a dependent child | 225(per child) |
How can a foreign national apply under this stream?
Foreign nationals wishing to apply under this stream must submit an Express Entry profile using the IRCC’s website. Once a profile has been submitted, a CRS score will be assigned to your profile. The express entry eligibility criteria is determined using this distinctive point-based system called the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking system).
The following documents must be provided when making your express entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program:
Education credential Assessment from an authorized organization in Canada
Language Proficiency Test Results (IELTS or CELPIP)
Passport or travel documents
Job offer letter from an employer in Canada (If you have one)
Provincial Nomination (If you have one)
Ready to Apply? Please click here to contact us for an immediate response and our senior IRCC licensed immigration consultants can simplify your journey to Canada.