How long does the Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry) take?

End to end, the Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry) typically takes 6 to 12 months. Preparing a complete application (4 stages) usually takes around 6 months; the rest is government processing, which varies with caseload and country of application.

What slows down FST applications?

The most common delays are incomplete evidence triggering requests for more information, missing or expired documents (police certificates and medicals have validity windows), and backlogs at specific processing offices. Filing a decision-ready application is the single biggest controllable factor.

Can I speed up the FST?

You cannot skip the queue in most cases, but you can avoid adding to it: submit complete evidence the first time, respond to requests immediately, and keep documents valid. Some categories offer premium or priority processing — check the official government page for current options.

🇨🇦 Canada · FST

Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry): Processing time

Typical end-to-end timeline: 6–12 months. Here is where that time actually goes, stage by stage.

Typical processing time

6–12 months

from first preparation to final decision

Government processing times move with caseload. Check the official processing-time page for the current published estimate — our platform tracks these automatically.

The 4 stages of a FST application

1
Obtain Certificate of Qualification or Job Offer
≈ 90 days
Contact the relevant provincial or territorial authority to apply for a certificate of qualification in your trade, OR secure a full-time job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer in an eligible trade occupation.
2
Take a Language Test
≈ 30 days
Complete an approved English or French language test. FST requires CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing — lower thresholds than FSW.
3
Create an Express Entry Profile
≈ 7 days
Submit your Express Entry profile online. Enter your trade occupation NOC code, work experience details, language scores, and your job offer or certificate of qualification. If eligible, you enter the pool with a CRS score.
4
Receive ITA and Submit PR Application
≈ 60 days
Once you receive an Invitation to Apply from a draw, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application (e-APR). Gather all supporting documents, pay the application fees, and complete your biometrics and medical exam.

See also: full requirements and what the FST costs.

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The 4 stages of a FST application

Obtain Certificate of Qualification or Job Offer

≈ 90 days

Contact the relevant provincial or territorial authority to apply for a certificate of qualification in your trade, OR secure a full-time job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer in an eligible trade occupation.

Take a Language Test

≈ 30 days

Complete an approved English or French language test. FST requires CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing — lower thresholds than FSW.

Create an Express Entry Profile

≈ 7 days

Submit your Express Entry profile online. Enter your trade occupation NOC code, work experience details, language scores, and your job offer or certificate of qualification. If eligible, you enter the pool with a CRS score.

Receive ITA and Submit PR Application

≈ 60 days

Once you receive an Invitation to Apply from a draw, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application (e-APR). Gather all supporting documents, pay the application fees, and complete your biometrics and medical exam.