Canada Warehouse Job Requirements: Age, ID, SIN and Checks (2026)
Check if you qualify for a warehouse job in Canada: age rules, proof of identity and work eligibility, SIN, work permits and the mistakes to avoid.
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Step 2 of 3: Requirements
Most warehouse jobs in Canada ask for four things: you're old enough (usually 18+), you can show ID and your right to work, you have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), and you can handle a physical shift. At Amazon you show your documents at one short pre-hire appointment. The next page walks you through the application step by step.
Tell us where you are right now, and the next page shows you what to do.
Where are you in the process?
✅ Basic eligibility
Rules depend on the employer and the posting, but these basics come up again and again.
- Age: most warehouse postings ask for applicants aged 18 or over, especially where equipment is used. Always check the posting.
- Proof of identity: Amazon Canada asks for proof of identity at its pre-hire appointment.
- Right to work: you must be legally allowed to work in Canada, as a citizen, permanent resident or holder of a valid work permit.
- A SIN: you need a Social Insurance Number to work in Canada.
- Fitness: you'll be standing, walking, bending and lifting for most of the shift.
- A phone and email: shift offers, appointments and start dates usually arrive by email or text.
WorkBC notes that some high school education may be required for material handler jobs, but many entry-level roles train you from scratch.
📋 Your SIN and work permit
Your SIN is a 9-digit number you need to work in Canada or get government benefits. You apply for it through Service Canada, and you should keep it private.
| You are | What to know |
|---|---|
| Canadian citizen or permanent resident | Your SIN is permanent and doesn't expire |
| Temporary resident (work or study permit) | Your SIN starts with 9 and expires with your immigration documents |
| Open work permit holder | You can usually work for most employers, as no job offer was needed for the permit |
| Employer-specific work permit holder | Your permit is tied to a named employer, so check your conditions before applying elsewhere |
If you're on a study permit, check the conditions on your permit for how many hours you may work.
Have your documents ready? The next page shows the exact order of the application, from choosing a shift to your first day.
🔍 What employers check before you start
Job offers in warehouses usually depend on a few checks being completed.
- Identity and work eligibility: Amazon checks these at the pre-hire appointment, and you can't finish hiring without them.
- Rehire eligibility: if you worked at Amazon before, it reviews your past employment record before rehiring you.
- Agency paperwork: in Ontario, a temp agency must give you its name and contact details, and for each assignment the client's name, pay rate, hours and pay day, in writing.
- Safety orientation: most sites run a safety session before you start, and Amazon holds a new-hire orientation before Day 1.
Some employers also run a background check for certain roles. If one is needed, the posting or offer should say so.
💪 What the work demands physically
This part matters more than most people expect. WorkBC says heavy-materials work needs physical strength, and warehouse jobs can involve noise, vibration and working outdoors in all weather.
- Standing and walking for most of the shift
- Lifting, carrying and pushing carts or pallet jacks
- Using handheld scanners and following pick targets
- Working nights, weekends or overtime in the holiday rush
- Wearing safety footwear and other protective gear when required
Ready for the next part? The application steps are short, but the order matters.
⚠️ Common mistakes that cost people the job
Most rejections and delays come down to small, avoidable slips. Watch out for these:
- Not finishing the application. Amazon says your application is incomplete until you submit it from the review page, after picking a shift and booking your appointment.
- Bringing the wrong documents. Check what your appointment asks for, and make sure your ID and permit are valid.
- Working with an expired SIN. If your SIN starts with 9, renew it when you extend your permit.
- Paying an agency to get work. In Ontario, temp agencies can't charge you for being hired or assigned, or even for résumé help.
- Ignoring your inbox. Offers and start dates often arrive by email or text, so check your spam folder.
Want to avoid all of these? The next page puts each step in the right order.
❓ Quick FAQ
Do I need a résumé?
Do I need warehouse experience?
Do I need a forklift licence?
Can I work while waiting for my SIN?
Will an agency charge me a fee?
Is the pay the same everywhere?
On the next page: the application steps in order, where to find official postings, what happens at the pre-hire appointment and how to spot fake recruiters.
🔥 Other jobs hiring now
Want to keep your options open? These jobs have simple entry requirements too.
Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not Amazon, a retailer or a staffing agency, we are not an employer, and we do not hire anyone or collect job applications. Pay, shifts and hiring rules change often and differ by province and employer, so always check the details on the official careers site or job posting before you apply. Never pay anyone to get a job.