Canadian Permanent Residence - Federal Skilled Trades Program

As a cross-border immigration lawyer based in Windsor, Ontario, Christina Loebach helps individuals seeking to obtain Canadian permanent resident status. This blog post considers the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which is one program applicants may use to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Express Entry in a Nutshell

Express Entry is an electronic system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers seeking permanent resident status in Canada. Express Entry uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool to assess, score, and rank applications using points. These points are awarded on the basis of the applicant’s skills, education, age, language ability in English or French, work experience, and other factors.

There are three economic programs managed through Express Entry: (1) Canada Experience Class, (2) Federal Skilled Workers Program, and (3) Federal Skilled Trades program. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of one of these three programs in order to submit an application through Express Entry.

Requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on being qualified in a skilled trade. It is part of the Canadian government’s efforts to address labour shortages in trades occupations. The applicant’s skilled work experience must:

• All be in the same NOC and be in one of these NOC groups:

• Major Groups 72 (excluding sub-major group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, or 93 (excluding sub-major group 932)

• Minor group 6320

• Unit group 62200

• Show that they performed:

• The actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description, and

• Most of the main duties listed

• Meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the relevant NOC

• Have been paid work

• Have been obtained in a country where they were qualified to practice

• Total at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or 3,120 hours total) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before the date of application.

Additionally, applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program must have either:

• A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year, or

• A certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority

• A certificate of qualification proves you are qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. The certificate is issued by the provincial or territorial body that governs trades. 

Applicants must also take an approved language test in English or French, and meet the minimum score of CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing. Additionally, applicants must be able to prove that they have enough money for themselves and their family to settle in Canada. The amount of funds needed is dependent upon family size, and is periodically updated by the government. The only exception to this requirement are situations where the applicant is currently able to legally work in Canada (i.e. holds a valid work permit), and they have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, although applicants with formal education may benefit from higher CRS point totals.

If you would like Christina to provide legal advice on Express Entry that is tailored to your situation, please schedule a consultation.