USA to Canada - Can't find a straight answer to my question.

[abrrock]

I would greatly appreciate any advice on my current situation...
 
I would like to relocate to Toronto to live and work. I am 26 years old and an American citizen. I have earned a Bachelor's degree from an American University and have between 16 months of real, professional experience in the health care field (Quality Management Coordinator/Health Services Marketing). Additionally, I have an aunt, uncle, and cousins currently living in Montreal.
 
I am unsure as to exactly how long I would like to stay in Canada but I would like to at obtain a visa for 12 months at the minimum. I have no pre-existing offer of employment and ideally would prefer to be granted a Visa, then relocate to the Toronto area, and search/interview for desirable positions once I've arrived.
My question is: What immigration/visa options are available to me?

The skilled-workers visa process seems appropriate in my case however I was hoping for a more simple option; such as some type of temporary work visa (not dictated by pre-arranged employment) with an option of renewal. I am not currently enrolled in a University so I do not believe the Working Holiday Visa is applicable in my situation (due to my American citizenship).

I'd greatly appreciate some expertise on this issue. I can't seem to find a straight answer to my question.

Thank you, kindly!

[PMM]

Hi

I would greatly appreciate any advice on my current situation...
 
I would like to relocate to Toronto to live and work. I am 26 years old and an American citizen. I have earned a Bachelor's degree from an American University and have between 16 months of real, professional experience in the health care field (Quality Management Coordinator/Health Services Marketing). Additionally, I have an aunt, uncle, and cousins currently living in Montreal.
 
I am unsure as to exactly how long I would like to stay in Canada but I would like to at obtain a visa for 12 months at the minimum. I have no pre-existing offer of employment and ideally would prefer to be granted a Visa, then relocate to the Toronto area, and search/interview for desirable positions once I've arrived.
My question is: What immigration/visa options are available to me?

The skilled-workers visa process seems appropriate in my case however I was hoping for a more simple option; such as some type of temporary work visa (not dictated by pre-arranged employment) with an option of renewal. I am not currently enrolled in a University so I do not believe the Working Holiday Visa is applicable in my situation (due to my American citizenship).

I'd greatly appreciate some expertise on this issue. I can't seem to find a straight answer to my question.

Thank you, kindly!

You will have to find an employer in Canada who is willing to get a Labour Market Opinion from HRSDC that there are no Canadians/Permanent Residents available for the job and that is meets local conditions and has been advertised in the Canada Job Bank for 2 weeks.  So unless you can do that, and it looks like the SWAP/BUNAC is now only open to students in the US, you will be out of luck. 

PMM

[abrrock]

thanks for the advice.

Thus far, it seems the Skilled Workers Visa is my best bet in terms of what I qualify for. It's not necessary to have a pre-arranged offer of employment to be considered for this Visa, correct?

thanks again!

[Leon]

If you want to apply for FSW, you need to meet the requirements for one of 3 categories, 1) you have at least a 1 year experience in the last 10 years in one of their 38 favourite occupations, 2) you have a job offer (AEO) or 3) you are already in Canada for 12 months or more on a student visa or work permit.  You also have to score 67 points on their self assessment.