Question: Before I can apply for my tourist visa for Iran at the embassy in Canberra, I need to get a magical " number " from the MFA in Tehran. This is best done by a local travel agent. I sent a letter with a request to do that, from another highly regarded agent of another highly regarded guide book - dare I say it - Bradt - and received no reply at all !! Then trawling the Internet I got closer and applied with www.uppersia.com.

Answer: For Iran visa you should fill in the visa form on http://www.uppersia.com/Iran-travel-services/iran-visa.html, it takes about 10 working days to get your reference number and two working days to collect your visa at the embassy by direct referral or one working week by posting the docs to the embassy. You can pay the visa fee in cash in Iran.

Check the cheapest Iran tours at http://www.uppersia.com/Iran-tours