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Australia's First Arrival Control Determination Bans Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) Visa Holders from Travelling
26 March 2026 10 min read
On 25 March 2026, the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, signed the Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (registered as F2026L00372 on 25 March 2026). This is the first time the Australian Government has exercised its new arrival control powers under the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, which passed Parliament earlier in March 2026. The Determination came into force on 26 March 2026 and will remain in effect for six months.
The Determination temporarily restricts Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) visa holders who are outside Australia from travelling to Australia. Minister Burke stated that the measure is designed to "protect the integrity and sustainability of our migration system" amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire.
From 26 March 2026, if you are outside Australia and hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa linked to an Iranian passport, your visa has temporarily ceased to be in effect as a result of the Arrival Control Determination. You cannot travel to Australia while the Determination is in force unless an exemption applies or you are issued a Permitted Travel Certificate.
The Determination was made under subsection 84B(1) of the Migration Act 1958. This provision was introduced by the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, which gave the Home Affairs Minister the power to issue arrival control determinations to temporarily restrict the entry of certain classes of temporary visa holders from nominated countries.
Under the legislative framework, the Minister must be satisfied that making the determination is in the national interest. The Determination must specify the period for which it is in force, which must not exceed the period the Minister considers appropriate in all the circumstances.
The Determination targets a specific class of non-citizens defined under section 84E of the Migration Act. According to the instrument, the class of affected non-citizens includes a person who:
In practical terms, this means most Iranian passport holders who hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa and were outside Australia on 26 March 2026 cannot use that visa to travel to Australia while the Determination is in force.
The Determination is in force for a period of six months, beginning on the day after the instrument commences (26 March 2026). The instrument may be revoked earlier under subsection 84B(4) of the Migration Act. If a visa has not expired when the Determination ends, it will come back into effect and be valid for travel again at that time. If a visa expires while the Determination is in force, the holder will need to apply for another visa.
The Determination does not apply to the following Visitor visa holders with Iranian passports:
Exempt persons may continue to travel to Australia if they hold a valid visa. However, they must provide evidence that the restrictions do not apply to them before they travel to Australia, by requesting a check through the Department of Home Affairs' secure online Arrival Control Determination Portal.
If the Determination applies to you, but you still wish to travel to Australia, you may apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC). If issued, your visa will come back into effect and you will be able to travel to Australia within the visa validity period. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
Permitted Travel Certificates will only be issued in very limited circumstances, which may include individuals who:
Minister Burke has made clear that sympathetic consideration will be given to cases involving parents of Australian citizens.
To request a Permitted Travel Certificate, go to the Department's secure online Arrival Control Determination Portal. Do not make travel plans unless you receive an email advising that you have been issued with a Permitted Travel Certificate. The Department encourages requests to be lodged at least two weeks before intended travel.
A person who began travel to Australia before the Determination came into effect, including those transiting in a third country for less than 24 hours, will generally be issued a Permitted Travel Certificate automatically and do not need to apply.
Before the Department can check whether the Arrival Control Determination applies to you, or issue a Permitted Travel Certificate, you must hold a visa or have applied for a visa to Australia. Requests must include:
Based on your circumstances, suitable evidence may include marriage, birth, adoption or death certificates, de facto or civil partnership registration, court documents showing legal guardianship, proof of relationship or residence (such as shared tenancy agreements, utility bills, or joint bank accounts), proof of permanent residence in another country, or travel itineraries.
The Department may finalise requests without further consideration if suitable evidence is not provided.
The Determination does not prevent new visa applications. Applications already lodged, as well as new applications, will continue to be assessed on their merits against the legal requirements, including health, character, and security criteria. People outside Australia are still able to apply for a new visa to Australia.
No refunds will be given for Visitor visas (Subclass 600) affected by the travel restrictions unless the visa holder meets one of the relevant criteria listed for getting a refund on the Department of Home Affairs website.
In a media release dated 25 March 2026, Minister Tony Burke provided the following statements:
"There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran which may not have been issued if they were applied for now."
"Decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be deliberate decisions of the Government, not a random consequence of who had booked a holiday."
"The Australian Government is closely monitoring global developments and will adjust settings as required to ensure Australia's migration system remains orderly, fair and sustainable."
The full legislative instrument, Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (F2026L00372), can be downloaded below:
If you are outside Australia and hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa linked to an Iranian passport, you should be aware that your visa has temporarily ceased to be in effect. You are unable to board a flight to Australia, even if your visa was valid before the Determination commenced. We strongly recommend: