The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), The Canadian Skilled Trades Program is a component of the Express Entry system designed to facilitate the immigration of skilled tradespersons to Canada. The program targets individuals with experience in specific skilled trades, addressing labor market needs in areas such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance.
To be eligible for the FSTP, applicants must meet criteria related to work experience, language proficiency, and job offer or certification from a provincial or territorial authority. Unlike other Express Entry programs, the FSTP doesn’t require applicants to hold a post-secondary education credential, focusing instead on practical skills. Successful candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, allowing them to contribute their expertise to the Canadian workforce and become permanent residents.
The FSTP plays a crucial role in addressing shortages in skilled trades and promoting economic growth in Canada. The program targets individuals engaged in skilled trades, such as electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters, and machinists, among others. Each trade is classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. Candidates interested in the Federal Skilled Trades Program must enter the Express Entry pool and create an Express Entry profile. The program is points-based, and candidates are ranked based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
You can also get to know other immigration pathways more suited to each particular situation. All of our fees and packages are also available! You can also get acquainted with other OINP programs.
Book a consultation today to discuss your eligibility with an expert immigration advisor and take your first step toward living and working in Ontario. Let our immigration firm guide you through the Foreign Worker stream and make your Canadian dream a reality.
DRAW DATE
Jan 11, 2024
PROGRAM(S)
Federal Skilled Trades Program
INVITATIONS ISSUED
2554
LOWEST SCORE
350
On August 3rd, 2023, 2844 invitations were issued to professionals who had a score ranging between 250-516. Read more
To meet the work experience eligibility requirement for this stream, a candidate must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience within the 5 years before the application. This work experience must be in a skilled trade. These trades include the following NOC groups:
Work experience will not be eligible if the experience does not align with the description of the NOC, or if the applicant did not have the qualifications to practice the trade independently. Moreover, work experience will be counted toward eligibility as long as it was paid in wages or commission (volunteer work will not be considered sufficient)
Candidates are required to have either
A qualification certificate serves as evidence of your eligibility to work in a specific skilled trade within Canada. This implies that you have successfully completed a certification examination and satisfied all the prerequisites to practice your trade in the province or territory that granted the certificate. This certification is issued either by the provincial or territorial governing body responsible for trades within their jurisdiction or by a federal authority. The nomenclature of the certificate may vary, being referred to as either a “certificate of qualification” or a “qualification certificate,” contingent upon the issuing body. To obtain this certificate, the provincial, territorial, or federal authority must evaluate your training, trade experience, and skills to determine your eligibility to undertake a certification examination. The assessment process is conducted by the province or territory, each of which has its distinct requirements and procedures for obtaining a certificate of qualification. This may entail a visit to the respective province or territory for the assessment of your trade, and in some cases, you may require the sponsorship of an employer in Canada to provide you with the necessary experience and training. If it is not possible to obtain a certificate in the candidate’s province, then a valid job offer will be needed to meet the eligibility requirements.
Candidates must also show appropriate command of one of the official languages in Canada: English or French. For this stream, candidates must be at a level of:
For the Federal Skilled Trades program, there is no education requirement. However, it can be a way for candidates to boost their scores in the Express Entry pool. This can be done in two ways:
It is required to show enough funds to relocate to Canada for both the applicant and any family member joining, unless:
If either of these two applies to the candidate, there is no necessary minimum amount that they must show to the government within their application.
There is a specific checklist and certain documents that must be gathered for the submission. These documents include:
Applying for the Federal Skilled Trades Program involves various fees based on different scenarios. Below is a breakdown of the fees associated with the program:
Total: $1,365.00
Total: $850.00
Total: $850.00
Per Child: $230.00
Fee for biometrics collection
Per Person: $85.00
Maximum fee for a family applying at the same time and place
Per Family: $170.00
If you decide to retain us as your representative, some professional fees will be applicable.
The candidate has to make sure to meet all of the requirements for the stream.
For this step, certain documents will be required like language certificates and the NOC code and candidates are given 60 days to complete and submit their profiles.
Once an applicant’s profile is submitted, it will be analyzed to decide which program fits the profile best.
While waiting in the pool, candidates can better their chances by obtaining higher language results or finding a valid job offer.
