Federal Skilled Trades
Eligibility to Apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada based on their qualifications in a skilled trade.
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
Skilled Trades Work Experience
- Experience: You must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years.
- Job Requirements: Your experience must meet the job requirements for the skilled trade as outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This includes performing all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed in the NOC’s lead statement.
- Nature of Work: Your work experience must be for paid work. Volunteer work or unpaid internships do not count towards the experience requirement.
Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification
- Job Offer: You must have a valid job offer of full-time employment in Canada for at least 1 year, or
- Certificate of Qualification: Alternatively, you can have a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority. This certificate proves that you are qualified to work in a particular trade in Canada.
Language Proficiency
- Language Tests: You must take approved language tests in English or French covering all four language skills: writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
- Minimum Scores: You need to meet the minimum required scores for each language skill.
- Validity: Your language test results must be valid for 2 years from the date of the test and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.
Education
- There is no formal education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Improving Your Rank: To improve your rank in the Express Entry pool, you can earn points for:
- Canadian educational credentials (certificate, diploma, or degree from a secondary or post-secondary institution), or
- Foreign education credentials, if you have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization that shows your education is equivalent to a Canadian certificate, diploma, or degree.
Proof of Funds
- You must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family upon settling in Canada, unless you:
- Are currently able to legally work in Canada, and
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada, meaning you should not have any medical or criminal inadmissibilities.
Where You Can Live
You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you intend to live in Quebec, you must apply through the Quebec-selected skilled worker program.
Provincial Nominee: If you are a provincial nominee, you must settle in the province or territory that nominated you.
Next Steps
- Prepare Your Documents
- Submit Your Profile
Why Choose Nextgenvisa
Choosing Nextgenvisa offers several advantages over other service providers:
- Tailored Solutions: Nextgenvisa provides personalized support through in-person consultations, phone calls, or email interactions, ensuring you receive the help that best suits your needs.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We ensure your profile meets all the required criteria, helping you identify and address any potential issues early on.
- Document Assistance: Our team assists you in preparing all essential documents, including gathering proof of work experience and obtaining valid language test results.
- Profile Completion: We guide you through the process of accurately completing and submitting your Express Entry profile, ensuring all information is correct and complete.
- CRS Score Improvement: We offer strategies to help you improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Post-ITA Support: Once you receive an ITA, we assist you in perfecting your final application for permanent residency, ensuring all required documents and forms are properly submitted.
- Dedicated Service: Our dedicated team is committed to making the application process as smooth and efficient as possible, providing ongoing support and updates.
- By choosing Nextgenvisa, you can navigate the complex immigration process with confidence, knowing you have expert guidance every step of the way.