The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) was created to offer a Canadian permanent resident (PR) visa to qualified foreign tradespeople in dozens of high-demand occupations (such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and welders). .
Many of these skilled trades are linked to jobs in occupational categories such as:
- Construction, electricity and industry
- Equipment operation and maintenance
- Jobs for managers and technicians in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Central control managers and operators in the processing, manufacturing and service sector
Who can apply to benefit from the PFMS program?
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (PFMS), a candidate must have a minimum of two years of full-time paid work experience in the last five years in a trade eligible for the PFMS.
Dozens of jobs in Canada are eligible for the program, including in the construction industry, the oil and gas sector, heavy machinery trades and various technical fields, among others.
Currently, all skilled trades eligible for the PFMS will be listed in the NOC Skill Level B category in the following groups (Groups 72, 73, 82, and 92 each have several specific occupations listed as eligible for the PFMS ):
- Major Group 72, industry, electricity and construction professions.
- Major Group 73, equipment maintenance and operation professions
- Major Group 82: Managers and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production.
- Major Group 92: Central control managers and operators in the processing, manufacturing and service sectors.
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks, and
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers.
- Qualified foreign workers will also have to meet the requirements relating to employment in their occupation
- eligible for the PFMS program, as defined by the CNP system.
Here are some examples of the dozens of professions that can benefit from the Federal Specialized Trades Program (PFMS):
Aircraft mechanics and inspectors; household appliance repairers; automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers; bakers; bricklayers; butchers; cabinetmakers; cable television maintenance and service technicians; carpenters; chefs; masons; cooks; crane operators; power line and cable fitters; electricians; elevator builders and mechanics; floor covering installers; gas fitters; glaziers; heavy equipment mechanics; insulators; metal frame erectors; logging machine operators; machine fitters; machinists and machining and tooling inspectors; oil and gas well drillers, maintenance and testing personnel and related personnel; oil, gas and chemical process operators; plasterers, plasterers, finishers and lathes; plumbers; electrical engineers and power network operators; printing press operators; locomotive engineers; conductors; refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics; roofers and shingle installers; sheet metal workers; pipefitters, heating fitters and sprinkler installers; installers and repairers of telecommunications equipment; tilers; tool and die makers; operators of water and waste treatment facilities; welders – and more!
Please note that there are many other professions that are also eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Authorized immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert can advise you if your occupation is eligible for the PFMS or another immigration program in Canada.
To check your eligibility, click here!
A PFMS candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have acceptable language skills in English or French, necessary for the exercise of their profession (measured by language assessment exams such as IELTS or TEF).
Additionally, applicants for the PFMS long-term work visa in Canada must have a qualified full-time Canadian job offer of at least 12 months OR a “certificate of qualification” from one of the provinces or one of the territories where they want to live and work in Canada.
Although the Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) is not a requirement of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), it is possible to obtain more points for Canadian immigration under the Comprehensive Ranking System (GRS). ) “Express Entry”. Therefore, obtaining an ECA is recommended by the Canadian government for PFMS program applicants.
As with every type of work visa in Canada, applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) must meet health and moral requirements and provide “proof of funds,” among other criteria.
Remember that skilled foreign workers who want to live and work in the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec must apply under a unique Quebec immigration program, the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
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