Federal Skilled Trades Program

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program

1. Eligibility

   FST: occupation must be an eligible skilled trade group

   The occupation specified must be a skilled trade occupation (not restricted) in NOC 2021: Major Group 72 (technical trades and transportation officers and controllers) excluding Sub-major Group 726; Major Group 73 (general trades); 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 excluding Sub-major Group 932 (aircraft assemblers and inspectors); Minor Group 6320 (cooks, butchers and bakers); Unit Group 62200 (chefs). All qualifying experience must be in one NOC.

   Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227)Checked October 18, 2026Reference PR-FST-001
2. Work experience

   FST: two years of trade experience within 5 years, after becoming qualified

   Within the 5 years before applying, at least 2 years of full-time work (or 3,120 hours of equivalent part-time; hours above 30/week not counted) in the specified skilled trade, paid (no volunteer work, unpaid internships, or work while studying), gained after becoming qualified to practise the trade independently in the country where the work was done. The applicant must have performed the lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties including all essential duties, and must meet the NOC employment requirements for the trade except the requirement for a provincial certificate of qualification (IRPR 87.2(3)(b)–(c)). No education requirement applies (education can still earn CRS points).

   Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades ProgramChecked October 18, 2026Reference PR-FST-002
3. EligibilityUntil November 2, 2026

   FST: valid job offer of at least 1 year or a Canadian certificate of qualification (until November 2, 2026)

   The applicant must have either (i) a certificate of qualification in the trade issued by a competent Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority, or (ii) an offer of continuous full-time employment for a total of at least 1 year after the PR visa is issued, in the specified trade, from up to two employers (not embassies, high commissions or consulates), that is either supported by a positive LMIA or made by the employer(s) named on the applicant's valid work permit, where the applicant is in Canada working for an employer named on that permit and the permit was issued on the basis of an LMIA or under an LMIA exemption in IRPR 204(a) or (c) or section 205 (international agreements, federal-provincial agreements, or Canadian interests such as significant benefit, reciprocal employment, Minister-designated work or religious or charitable work). With an LMIA-exempt permit the applicant must also have at least 1 year of continuous full-time work (or the part-time equivalent) for the offering employer(s); with either kind of permit the offer must be in the same NOC minor group as the work permit occupation (IRPR 87.2(3)(d)). If the province or territory does not issue certificates for the trade, a valid job offer is needed.

   Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227)Checked October 18, 2026Reference PR-FST-003
4. Language

   FST language minimum: CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing

   Approved English or French test results meeting at least CLB/NCLC 5 for speaking and listening and CLB/NCLC 4 for reading and writing. Example CLB 4 equivalents: IELTS General Training speaking 4.0, listening 4.5, reading 3.5, writing 4.0; PTE Core speaking 42, listening 28, reading 33, writing 41; TCF Canada speaking 4, listening 331, reading 342, writing 4.

   Express Entry: Language test resultsChecked October 18, 2026Reference PR-FST-004
5. EligibilityFrom November 3, 2026

   FST from November 3, 2026: a valid job offer of at least 1 year or a Canadian certificate of qualification, no LMIA needed

   The applicant must have either a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade issued by a competent Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority, or a valid job offer: made by up to 2 employers (not an embassy, high commission or consulate), for continuous, paid, full-time work (at least 30 hours a week) for at least 1 year, in an eligible NOC 2021 TEER 2 or 3 skilled trade. As of November 3, 2026, an LMIA is no longer required for these job offers, and a temporary public policy exempts candidates invited to apply on or after November 3, 2026 from all LMIA requirements for qualifying job offers used for Federal Skilled Trades eligibility, provided they meet its conditions. Officers assess whether the offer is genuine.

   Express Entry: Job offerChecked October 18, 2026Reference PR-FST-005