Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

FST: at least 2 years/3,120 hours of paid work in the same eligible skilled-trade NOC in the last 5 years; full-time or equivalent part-time, at most 30 hours/week counted. You must have been qualified to practise independently where you worked and meet the NOC job requirements. Work gained while studying does not count.

FST: English CLB or French NCLC 5 in speaking/listening and 4 in reading/writing. Use an IRCC-approved test; results must be less than 2 years old at profile completion and permanent-residence application.

FST eligible NOC groups: major groups 72 (excluding 726), 73, 82, 83, 92 and 93 (excluding 932); minor group 6320; unit group 62200. Match the lead statement and most main duties; all qualifying experience must be in the same NOC.

FSW and FST require settlement funds unless you are authorised to work in Canada AND have a valid job offer. Use IRCC’s current annual table for your family size, including a spouse and dependent children even if they are not accompanying you. IRCC’s displayed table is dated July 7, 2025 (checked October 10, 2026).

FST requires either a valid full-time skilled-trade job offer totalling at least 1 year OR a certificate of qualification in that trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority. The employer does not issue that qualification certificate. A job offer is not required if the qualifying certificate is used.

Permanent residence requires an immigration medical exam by an IRCC panel physician, including family members not accompanying you. If living in Canada with an IME from the past 5 years, another exam may not be needed: provide the previous IME/UMI or report and follow IRCC instructions. If no prior exam, arrange it after invitation; a reused exam is subject to IRCC acceptance.

At permanent-residence application, applicants and family members aged 18+ need certificates for countries other than Canada where they stayed 6 consecutive months or more in the last 10 years after turning 18. An officer may request older periods. Current-country certificates: issued within 6 months before submission; other countries: after the last qualifying stay. Follow country-specific IRCC instructions.

You must intend to settle outside Quebec. Qualifying work experience gained in Quebec can count, but you must provide evidence that you do not plan to settle there. A provincial nominee must settle in the nominating province or territory.