Federal Skilled Trades Program(FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was established to offer a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada to qualified skilled foreign tradespeople in dozens of high-demand occupations (such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and welders).
Many of these skilled trades are related to jobs in such occupation categories as:
- Construction, Electrical and Industrial
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance
- Supervisors and Technical Jobs in Natural Resources,
- Agriculture and Related Production
- Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities Supervisors and Central Control Operators
To register for your Canadian visa eligibility assessment
The following nine provinces and two territories participate in the Provincial Nominee Program:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
The Province of Quebec does not participate in the PNP, since it has its own points-based Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program. Foreign workers who want to live and work in the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec should apply for this Canadian immigration program instead.
FSTP Benefits
Skilled foreign tradespeople and their eligible family members who are granted a PR Visa to Canada through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) are authorized to live and work in Canada long-term, receive free basic healthcare (after a brief waiting period), get access to educational programs, and have the opportunity to enjoy the high standard of living that Canada is famous for.
Another great benefit of being issued a PR Visa to Canada through the FSTP is the option to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada as a permanent resident at least three years and meeting other criteria!
Application Procedure
Application for the FSWP begins by filing an online Express Entry profile with the Canadian immigration agency.
Before the Express Entry profile is filed, however, the applicant should have a passing score on an approved English or French language evaluate exam that is less than two years old, and receive a favorable Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
Further details regarding language tests and the ECA can be provided to clients of Voyage Pour Tous who are assessed as eligible to start the process for the FSWP.
When the Express Entry profile is filed, details about the applicant’s family, education, work experience, language tests scores, and other information will be entered.
A Canadian immigration official will then review the profile and if the applicant seems to meet the criteria for the FSWP, his or her profile will be placed in the Express Entry pool of candidates.
If the Express Entry candidate has one of the highest scores on the Comprehensive Ranking System OR receives a qualifying offer of Canadian employment OR is nominated for the Provincial Nominees Program (PNP), he or she could be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
After the ITA is received, the skilled foreign worker will have up to 60 days to file the Application for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada, including the documents and governmental fees.
Canada’s immigration authorities normally make a decision regarding Express Entry in six months or less after a complete Canadian Visa Application is filed.
If the skilled immigrant and his or family members are approved for Express Entry immigration to Canada, they will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa may also be placed in their passport (if someone from their country is required to have a visa to Canada).
To learn if you are likely to meet the criteria for the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
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