Thank you so much, I really appreciate all your advice. After submitting paper-based documents, what is the process? Will CIC email us about application number or does it show online? How can I check whether/when they started my processing?
Would you please advise? Thanks so much again for your help.
You're welcome. If you still didn't sent the application, please check that document for the picture to see the recommended size (I think the photo for temporary resident visa can be optionally a little smaller than resident permanent [in length x height], but the rest seems the same).
They gonna receive your application package and put in a queue, after some time they gonna check if you sent all necessary documents/forms. If it's not complete, or there's some error (e.g. didn't sign a form, etc..), they sent the package back (and usually a letter saying what's wrong).
If it's complete, they gonna create the application in their system, and an application number. They would email your this application number, and with that you would be able to go online in your CIC account and link the application to it. With that you would be able to check the application status as if you had created the application online.
You won't be able to check for the application until they create an application number. In this case, I would advise that you sent your application package with a tracking number and asking to have someone signing it on receive. That way you make sure the application was received in the correct place.
