Question:

I am planning on travelling to Iran this autumn to visit and stay with friends and their family (I am a Canadian citizen).I am wondering if you have any recent experience with getting a tourist visa through a host/friend/family in Iran? I'm debating whether to simply use www.uppersia.com to secure the tourist visa.

Answer:

The Canadian visitors of Iran should take part in a tour and be accompanied by a tour guide to travel in Iran and accommodate in the hotels so it's impossible to get the visa through a host.
In the visa application form the MFA should be informed about the hotels and itinerary in Iran. After having the reference number, the visa can be collected in two working days by direct referral or in one working week by posting the docs to the Iran embassy.
You should hire your guide or take the tour from the agency which applies for your visa. Moreover, the same agency should book your hotel as well, so it is better to take your all inclusive tour from that particular tour operator.

Check the cheapest Iran tours.