Federal Skilled Trades Program

Candidates who work in the trade occupations that are in demand on the Canadian labor market are targeted by the Federal Skilled Trades Program. It is important to note that applicants to the Federal Skilled Trades Program with a high Comprehensive Ranking Score are typically chosen on a general basis (CRS). For help with Canadian immigration, contact VisaStan.

Candidate performance in trade occupations, however, is typically below average. Additionally, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) holds unique rounds of selection just for this program. Four invitation rounds were made available to Federal Skilled Trades candidates in November 2018.

The government does not issue many Invitations to Apply (ITA) for Federal Skilled Trades in the Express Entry rounds, and the CRS score required to receive an ITA is significantly lower than the typical minimum scores compared to Federal Skilled Workers. Because the provincial certificate awards an additional 600 points, which is always enough for the ITA, the majority of candidates in trade occupations immigrate to Canada through one of the many Provincial Nominee Programs. In 2017, the Federal Skilled Trades Program invited 905 candidates, but only one candidate was invited as part of the regular Express Entry invitation round. Without a nomination from the province or a job offer supported by LMIA, candidates for this program simply did not have a chance to receive an invitation. As a result, separate rounds of invitations for the Federal Skilled Trades Program have been held since May 2017. 900 people were invited to apply for the program by the government in 2018.

Candidates for trade occupations should look at the Provincial Nominee Programs' most in-demand lists. Even though this method of immigration takes longer and costs more money, it still has a better chance of getting to Canada than waiting for the Express Entry invitation rounds for the Federal Skilled Trades class.