Express Entry for Skilled Trades Workers is a popular pathway for those working in trade occupations to immigrate to Canada. Skilled trades are a crucial part of the Canadian economy, and the Express Entry system offers a specific program for skilled trades workers called the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Here’s what you need to know about applying through Express Entry as a skilled trades worker:
1. Eligibility for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) under Express Entry, you must meet the following requirements:
- Work Experience: You need at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in a skilled trade within the last five years.
- Skilled Trade Occupations: Your work experience must be in one of the following skilled trades listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC):
- Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical, and construction trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers, welders).
- Major Group 73: General traders (e.g., carpenters, chefs, butchers).
- Major Group 82: Primary industry trades (e.g., agricultural equipment technicians, oil and gas drillers).
- Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors.
- Minor Group 634: Chefs and cooks.
- Minor Group 732: Heavy-duty equipment mechanics.
- Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate a minimum level of language proficiency in either English or French. The required level is:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for speaking and listening.
- CLB level 4 for reading and writing.
- Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification:
- Valid Job Offer: A full-time, permanent job offer from a Canadian employer in a skilled trade occupation can help increase your chances of being invited to apply (ITA).
- Certificate of Qualification: A certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory can also increase your chances. It is typically required in regulated trades, and obtaining one can enhance your Express Entry profile.
2. Creating Your Express Entry Profile
Once you meet the FSTP eligibility criteria, you can create a profile in the Express Entry pool. Here’s how it works:
- Express Entry Pool: Your profile will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which ranks you among other candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
- Additional Points for Job Offer/Certificate of Qualification: If you have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification, you will earn additional CRS points, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
- Language Test: You will need to take an approved language test, such as the IELTS (for English) or TEF (for French), and provide your test results in your Express Entry profile.
3. How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Works
- Your CRS score is crucial because it determines whether you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The higher your score, the better your chances.
- The CRS system awards points for factors such as:
- Age: Younger candidates typically receive more points.
- Language Proficiency: High language test scores will give you more points.
- Work Experience: More years of skilled work experience in Canada or abroad will boost your score.
- Education: Higher levels of education will result in additional points.
- Job Offer: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer will earn additional points.
- Spouse’s Information: If you have a spouse, their language proficiency and education can add to your total CRS score.
The CRS cut-off scores vary from draw to draw, meaning that the score required to receive an ITA will depend on the number of candidates in the pool and the needs of Canada’s labor market at the time.
4. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Express Entry Draws: Canada conducts regular Express Entry draws, typically every two weeks, in which they invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. The draw’s CRS score cut-off determines who will receive an ITA.
- If you are invited to apply, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application, including all required documents.
5. Documents Required for Application
After receiving an ITA, you’ll need to submit the following documents for your permanent residency application:
- Proof of Work Experience: This includes reference letters, pay stubs, or other supporting documents from your employers that outline your work experience in a skilled trade.
- Language Test Results: Provide the results of your approved language test.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If you completed education outside Canada, you’ll need to submit an ECA report to assess how your foreign education compares to Canadian standards.
- Police Certificates: You may need to submit police certificates from the countries where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
- Medical Exam: You and your family members will need to undergo a medical examination to ensure you meet health standards.
- Proof of Funds: You must demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family upon arriving in Canada unless you have a valid job offer.
6. Job Offer and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
- Job Offer: Having a valid job offer in a skilled trade occupation can increase your CRS score significantly. A job offer can be from any Canadian employer, but it must be full-time, non-seasonal, and meet the requirements of a skilled trade occupation.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Some provinces and territories have skilled trades streams within their PNPs. If you are nominated by a province or territory, you will receive an additional 600 CRS points, which will essentially guarantee that you receive an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
- Express Entry-linked PNP Streams: Many provinces have streams that are linked to the Express Entry system. If you receive a provincial nomination through one of these streams, your CRS score will increase by 600 points.
7. Skilled Trades Occupation List
Canada’s need for skilled trades workers is widespread across various industries. Some of the most in-demand skilled trades occupations include:
- Electricians
- Welders
- Plumbers
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- Chefs and cooks
- Carpenters
- Agricultural and construction workers
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) lists all the skilled trades eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, so make sure your occupation is included in the NOC codes eligible for Express Entry.