Trades stream

Skilled trades workers — including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, industrial mechanics, and heavy equipment operators — can pursue permanent residence through Express Entry via two overlapping pathways: the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), which is one of the three Express Entry programs, and category-based invitation draws, which IRCC runs to directly target candidates with experience in trades occupations facing long-term labour shortages.

How it works

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is a formal Express Entry program: candidates who meet FST requirements enter the pool, receive a CRS score, and compete in rounds of invitations. Separately, IRCC may run category-based draws that invite candidates — regardless of which program makes them eligible — who have work experience in qualifying trades NOC occupations. This means an FST candidate or a CEC candidate whose occupation falls in a qualifying trades NOC code could receive an invitation through a trades category draw. IRCC updates the eligible occupation lists annually based on labour market evidence. The FST is particularly designed for people whose trade may not be easily recognized through the Federal Skilled Worker Program's points grid.

Eligibility basics

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST): at least 2 years of full-time work experience (3,120 hours total) in a qualifying skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply. Eligible trades fall under NOC Major Groups 72, 73, 82, 83, 92, and 93 — with certain sub-major groups excluded, so verify your specific NOC code against the current IRCC list.
• FST language minimums: CLB 5 for speaking and listening; CLB 4 for reading and writing.
• FST requires either a valid job offer of at least one year in your trade from a Canadian employer, or a certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority. If your intended province or territory does not issue certificates of qualification in your trade, a qualifying job offer is required.
• For trades category-based draws: you must already be eligible for at least one Express Entry program, and have at least 1 year of work experience (or the equivalent in part-time hours) in a qualifying trades NOC occupation within the past 3 years. Eligible NOC codes for each draw are published in the ministerial instructions and updated annually.
• No minimum education requirement for the FST specifically.
• You and all accompanying family members must be admissible to Canada.