Indian applicants · Canada
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) for Indian citizens
Permanent residence for qualified tradespeople with a Canadian job offer or provincial certification.
This page covers the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) specifically for Indian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to India. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 5 months – 8 months
- Government fees
- CAD 1,590 principal applicant.
- Typical duration
- Permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Commonwealth
Consular processing: New Delhi / Chandigarh
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals enter Canada visa-free for short tourism but must hold a current Electronic Travel Authorisation. The Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) is required separately for the activity it covers.
Key figures for Indian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
5 months – 8 months
5–8 months from AOR under the Express Entry service standard.
Verified 1 June 2026 · IRCC — Check processing times →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival as PR → citizenship eligibility at 3 years. Temp-to-PR transition (Express Entry or PNP from inside Canada) typically adds another 1-3 years.
Leads to Permanent Residence (PR), then Canadian citizenship.
Will you qualify?
Express Entry ranks candidates by CRS score; estimate yours and compare it against recent draw cut-offs.
Estimate your score →Visa overview
The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) stream serves tradespeople in specific TEER 2–3 skilled-trades occupations, typically accompanied by a Canadian job offer or provincial certification of qualification.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓2 years of work in a qualifying skilled trade in the past 5 years.
- ✓Valid Canadian job offer (1+ year) or Certificate of Qualification from a provincial authority.
- ✓CLB 5 speaking/listening; CLB 4 reading/writing.
Common blockers
- !Trade occupation not on FST eligibility list.
- !No job offer and no provincial certification.
Typical evidence
- ·Employer reference letters or certificate of qualification.
- ·Language test.
Application pathway
Obtain provincial certification or job offer
Provincial bodies run trade-qualification exams.
Enter Express Entry pool
As FST candidate.
Await ITA
Category-based draws have targeted trades.
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 30 April 2026In force 30 April 2026
Canada: PR fees rise (30 Apr 2026), category-based Express Entry, Start-up Visa closed, arranged-employment points removed
A run of IRCC changes through 2025-26 reshaped Express Entry economics and closed the Start-up Visa to new applicants.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada →
Other Canada routes covered for Indian applicants
Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal permanent-residence stream for applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience.
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal points-based permanent residence for skilled workers without prior Canadian experience.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Province-led permanent residence streams giving a 600 CRS boost when aligned with Express Entry.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Open work permit for graduates of eligible Canadian Designated Learning Institutions.
Start-Up Visa (Canada)
Permanent residence for entrepreneurs with endorsement from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator.
Spousal / common-law sponsorship (Canada)
Permanent residence sponsorship of spouses, common-law partners, or conjugal partners by Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Not sure Canada is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer skilled migration routes that Indian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST)?+
Eligibility for the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) is set by IRCC and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Commonwealth. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST)?+
New Delhi / Chandigarh. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by IRCC — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Canada as well?+
Indian nationals enter Canada visa-free for short tourism but must hold a current Electronic Travel Authorisation. The Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) is required separately for the activity it covers.
How long does the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Trades (FST) take to process from India?+
The typical published decision window is 5 months – 8 months. Indian applicants usually file via New Delhi / Chandigarh, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: IRCC — Check processing times, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Canada?+
Arrival as PR → citizenship eligibility at 3 years. Temp-to-PR transition (Express Entry or PNP from inside Canada) typically adds another 1-3 years. The route leads to Permanent Residence (PR), then Canadian citizenship. See IRCC — Canadian citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
Do I need a provincial trade certificate for FST?+
Either a valid full-time Canadian job offer (at least 1 year) in the trade or a Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.