Eligibility to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

Minimum requirements

To be eligible, you must

✔ meet the minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark 4 for reading and writing

✔ have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply

• your work experience must be for paid work (paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count)

✔ meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification

✔ have a

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

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