25/03/2026
“…Temporary travel restrictions for Visitor visa holders with Iranian passports
Temporary travel restrictions are in place for people outside Australia who have a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa linked to their Iranian passport.
An Arrival Control Determination began on 26 March 2026 and is in force for 6 months. If you are:
outside Australia
hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa, and
departmental records indicate you provided a passport issued by the Islamic Republic of Iran when you applied for that Visitor visa
Your Visitor visa has temporarily ceased to be in effect as a result of the Determination, unless an exemption applies…”
Law:
The Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 is a legislative instrument made under subsection 84B(1) of the Migration Act 1958, following amendments introduced by the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026. It establishes a framework enabling the Minister for Home Affairs to temporarily restrict the arrival of specified classes of temporary visa holders in response to international events or circumstances affecting Australia’s migration system.
The purpose of the determination is to protect the integrity and sustainability of Australia’s immigration system, particularly where there is an increased risk that certain visa holders may not depart Australia upon visa expiry due to external events such as international conflict.
Key Provisions:
Specified Class of Persons
The determination applies to non-citizens who:
Hold a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa;
Provided details of an Iranian passport (either their own or one in which they were included) in their visa application; and
Have that passport recorded in departmental systems in connection with their visa grant.
Effect of the Determination
Temporary visas held by affected individuals cease to be in effect while the determination applies.
As a result, affected persons cannot travel to or enter Australia unless granted a permitted travel certificate.
The visa may resume effect if the determination ceases, no longer applies, or the individual is exempt.
Exemptions:
The determination does not apply to:
Immediate family members (spouse, de facto partner, dependent child) of Australian citizens or permanent residents; or
Parents of a child under 18 who is in Australia.
Ministerial Discretion:
The Minister may issue or revoke a permitted travel certificate where appropriate.
This allows case-by-case exemptions from the determination.
Duration and Operation:
The determination operates for a maximum period of six months from commencement.
It commences the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Rationale:
The Minister formed the required statutory satisfaction that:
An international conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States constitutes a relevant external event;
There is a risk that affected visa holders may not comply with visa conditions; and
It is in the national interest to impose temporary entry restrictions.
Governance and Oversight
The determination is not subject to disallowance under the Legislation Act 2003.
However, parliamentary accountability is maintained through tabling requirements and statements of reasons.
The Minister must obtain prior written agreement from both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs before making the determination.
Conclusion.
This instrument provides the Minister with a targeted, time-limited mechanism to suspend the travel rights of a defined group of temporary visa holders in response to international conflict, balancing national interest considerations with limited exemptions and discretionary safeguards.
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Iranians on temporarily visas will be restricted from re-entering Australia under controversial new powers.
