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920 STREET NE UNIT 209 Calgary AB T2A 6L8 Canada +1 (581) 508-5397 info@alphaimmigration.ca

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of Canada’s economic immigration pathways, managed under the Express Entry system. It is designed for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada based on their qualifications and experience in a skilled trade.

Key Requirements and Eligibility:

To be eligible for the FSTP, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • Skilled Work Experience: A minimum of two years of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work) in a skilled trade within the five years preceding the application. The experience must be in a single occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

  • Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification: Applicants must have a valid job offer for at least one year of full-time employment from a Canadian employer or a Certificate of Qualification in their skilled trade from a provincial, territorial, or federal authority in Canada.

  • Language Proficiency: Candidates must meet the minimum language requirements based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). The minimum scores are CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing in either English or French.

  • Education: There is no mandatory education requirement for the FSTP. However, candidates can earn additional points under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) by demonstrating a Canadian post-secondary credential or a foreign credential with a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.

  • Proof of Funds: Applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family upon arrival in Canada, unless they are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. The required amount is based on the size of the family.

 

Application Process:

1 ) To determine your eligibility for the Foreign Worker Program in Canada, please complete our assessment form. After you submit it, we will carefully review your documentation. If you meet the program’s criteria, we’ll confirm your eligibility via email. 

Assessment Form: https://alphaimmigrationservices.ca/assessment/

 

2) Upon confirmation of your eligibility, we will provide interview preparation and facilitate interview scheduling directly with your employer. Our service fee for this assistance is $149 CAD.

 

3 ) If your interview goes well, you’ll receive a direct offer from the employer. If it doesn’t, don’t worry – we believe in providing ample opportunity. We’ll set up another interview for you with a different employer. You’ll have three opportunities to interview in total, and we’re happy to confirm there are no separate charges for these retakes.

 

4) Upon your acceptance of the offer letter, we will initiate the setup of your GCKey account on the official Canada Government Portal. We will then provide you with the login credentials, allowing you to personally monitor the status of your application. The comprehensive visa filing fee is $755 CAD, which covers all government-mandated charges. This payment will be requested once your GCKey login details have been successfully provided to you.

 

5) Once your visa filing fees are paid, we will proceed with filing your visa application online and also we’ll request the following supporting documents from you. Please have them ready to help ensure a smooth application process.

 

6) Once the application is submitted, the Canadian government will review it to ensure it is complete and meets all necessary criteria. The processing time for the visa typically ranges from eight weeks to three months.

7) Upon receiving your visa, please book your flight to Canada. Once you arrive, report to our office. Accommodation will be provided for your first three months. During this period, we will offer resources and support to help you secure long-term housing. Please note that after the initial three-month period, you will be responsible for your own accommodation.

Required Documents:

  • Valid Passport: A copy of your passport, valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
  • Job Offer Letter: The official letter from your employer detailing your position, salary, and terms of employment.
  • Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): Your employer will handle the application and payment for the LMIA. The CAD 1,000 fee is their responsibility, and you will not be required to pay it.
  • Proof of Qualifications: Documents like educational certificates, degrees, diplomas, and any other certifications that prove you have the skills and qualifications for the job.
  • Medical Examination: A medical exam may be required, particularly if your job is in a specific field or if your stay is longer than six months.
  • Police Clearance Certificate: A certificate from your local police department proving you have no criminal record.
  • Proof of Payment: Documentation showing that you’ve paid all required application fees.
  • Two Passport-Sized Photos: Two recent photos that meet the specific requirements for your visa application.
  • Biometrics: You may be asked to provide your fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
  • Additional Documents (If Applicable)
    Marriage Certificate: If your spouse is coming with you, you’ll need to provide your marriage license or certificate.
  • Provincial Nomination: If you have been nominated by a province, you must provide the relevant documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Applicants can still qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa without a Canadian job offer. However, Canadian employers play a greater role in Canadian immigration under the federal Express Entry immigration selection system than they did previously, meaning that, for many candidates, obtaining a valid Canadian job offer significantly increases their chances of being invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates in the Express Entry pool have the opportunity to increase their chances of being invited to apply by promoting themselves directly to employers through the CanadaVisa Job Search tool. Candidates should note that the Quebec Skilled Worker category of immigration and some of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) do not require a Canadian job offer in order to qualify either.
A job offer is a genuine offer of employment from a legitimate Canadian employer.
Yes. There are essentially two types of job offers that a Canadian employer can make: A temporary job offer is an offer of Canadian employment that is made for a specific period of time – six months, one year, etc… Individuals can only begin working, in most cases, after they receive a Temporary Work Permit. A permanent job offer is an offer of Canadian employment that is made for an indeterminate period of time. Individuals can only begin working after they receive a Canada Immigration Visa.
Yes. Individuals may apply for a Temporary Work Permit on its own or in combination with an application for a Canada Immigration Visa. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly CIC) recognizes the concept of "dual intent" whereby an applicant desires to work in Canada temporarily and thereafter reside and work in Canada permanently.
Under Express Entry, candidates who are successful in obtaining a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) are awarded an additional 50 or 200 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), depending on the position offered. Although this CRS points bonus does not guarantee that the candidate will be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada, the fact that he or she has obtained a qualifying job offer means that he or she is more likely to be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool, therefore fast-tracking the immigration process.
There are significant benefits to obtaining a temporary Canadian job offer: A job offer is the starting point for obtaining a Temporary Work Permit. Coming to Canada on a Work Permit is the quickest way to enter Canada and work. The Work Permit application process can usually be completed in a matter of days or weeks. The Canadian employer of a Work Permit holder in Canada can offer the individual a permanent full-time job of indeterminate length and the new job offer will be considered arranged employment in Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Class.