Canada announced October 23 that applications for its C$5,000 Red Seal Completion Bonus will open November 16. The program covers qualifying journeypersons who completed an apprenticeship and gained certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after April 1, 2025.

Applicants must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or protected-person status and must not be attending high school. Preparations include collecting certification details, an apprentice identification number, banking information and a Social Insurance Number. Some applicants will also need evidence of immigration status.

Timing differs by certification date. Workers certified from April 1, 2025, through November 15, 2026, have until May 31, 2027, to apply. Those certified from November 16 onward generally have 12 months. Supporting documents must arrive within 28 days after an application begins.

The bonus belongs to the broader Team Canada Strong workforce initiative. The immediate development is an announced application opening, not payment already delivered. Individual eligibility and required provincial or territorial documents still determine whether a worker qualifies.