Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)
PR for experienced tradespeople - no education or selection-grid pass mark needed.
Official Canada pageWho this route is for
Skilled tradespeople (electricians, welders, machinists, chefs, heavy-equipment operators, etc.) in eligible NOC trade groups, applying through Express Entry.
Eligibility requirements
- 2 years of full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before applying
- Either a valid full-time job offer of at least 1 year (from up to two Canadian employers) OR a certificate of qualification in your trade from a Canadian province/territory
- Language CLB/NCLC 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB/NCLC 4 for reading and writing
- Meet the job requirements for that trade as set out in the NOC (except needing a certificate of qualification)
- No minimum education requirement and no 67-point grid - but you still need a competitive CRS score, and settlement funds (CAD $15,263 single) unless legally working in Canada
Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Lower language threshold than FSW/CEC. Trades is also a recurring category-based Express Entry draw, where cut-offs have run well below the general draws (around the low 400s).
Check your points first
Use the free Express Entry CRS Calculator to see if you're likely to qualify before you start.
Other Canada routes
Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
PermanentClassic points route to PR for skilled professionals with foreign work experience.
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
PermanentThe fastest in-Canada route - turns skilled Canadian experience into PR.
Express Entry Category-Based Draws
PermanentTargeted invitations that let lower-CRS candidates get picked for in-demand work.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
PermanentProvinces nominate the workers they need - an aligned nomination adds 600 CRS points.