Iranian visitor visa travel ban – March 2026 update

Key details of the Iranian visitor visa travel ban

Which Iranian visa holders are affected?

The Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (LIN 26/040) commenced on 26 March 2026 and applies for six months. It targets a specific group of visa holders, not all Iranians, and not all temporary visas. Our analysis of anzsco.ai data shows many Visitor (Sc 600) enquiries now hinge on this single instrument.

Who is exempt from the Iranian visitor ban?

The Department’s guidance sets out several exemption categories where the determination does not apply, even if the person holds a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa and used an Iranian passport. These exemptions are central for migration agents triaging affected clients and for families planning travel.

• Spouse, de facto partner or dependent child of: - an Australian citizen, or - an Australian permanent visa holder, or - an Australian resident who is not subject to a time limitation (for example, a New Zealand citizen)
• Parent of a child who is **under 18** and **in Australia**
• Any person who **was in Australia** when the Arrival Control Determination commenced on **26 March 2026**
• Any person who has been issued a **Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC)** that is in force

How the Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) works

For some Iranians with Visitor (Sc 600) visas, a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) is the only pathway to travel during the six‑month period. The Department assesses PTC requests individually and states they will be issued in very limited circumstances.

What this six‑month Iranian visitor restriction means

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced a six-month ban on Iranians who hold visitor visas from travelling to Australia.

This measure operates through the Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (LIN 26/040), which temporarily stops affected Visitor (Sc 600) visas from being in effect for travel. The government’s stated concern is that some temporary visa holders may be "unable or unlikely" to leave Australia when their visas expire, prompting the use of arrival control powers rather than changes to the Visitor (Subclass 600) framework itself.

For migration agents, the distinction between onshore and offshore status on 26 March 2026 becomes a critical fact point. For visa applicants and education providers, this is not about study or skilled migration programs directly, yet it may affect family visits, graduation ceremonies, or short‑term travel plans that often sit alongside long‑term visa strategies (and those ripple effects can be complex).

The exemption for partners, dependent children and certain parents means family‑linked travel remains possible in some cases, but usually only with clear evidence and, where required, a Permitted Travel Certificate. Refunds are generally not available for affected Visitor (Sc 600) visas unless the person meets existing criteria under reg 2.12F, so fee recovery options are quite limited. Lowest since September 2025.

Agents may see more clients asking whether to pursue a PTC or to adjust travel plans entirely, while applicants may focus on whether their family relationship or citizenship links fall within the listed exemptions. Education providers monitoring short‑term visit patterns from Iran could find this six‑month window especially relevant, as parents or relatives of students might now face an additional administrative hurdle through the Arrival Control Determination Portal.

Practical next steps for agents, applicants and providers

Steps if an Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) may be affected

1. 01Confirm whether the person was **outside Australia on 26 March 2026** and holds a **Visitor (Subclass 600)** visa linked to an Iranian passport in Department records.
2. 02Check if any **exemption category** applies (partner, de facto, dependent child, eligible parent, onshore on 26 March 2026, or already holding a **PTC**).
3. 03Use the **Arrival Control Determination Portal** to request an **Arrival Control Determination check** to see whether the Visitor visa has been affected.
4. 04Where appropriate, consider lodging a **Permitted Travel Certificate** request via the portal, aligning with the Department’s guidance on strong submissions, evidence, and timing (2 weeks to 2 months before intended travel).
5. 05Review any potential eligibility for **refunds under reg 2.12F**, noting that the source confirms no refunds for affected Sc 600 holders unless they meet these existing criteria.

For many, the central question is simple: can an Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) holder still travel to Australia during this six‑month period? The answer now depends on a combination of timing (onshore versus offshore on 26 March 2026), family links to citizens or permanent residents, and whether a Permitted Travel Certificate is granted. Australian migration can be complex, especially when new determinations intersect with existing visa frameworks, so close reading of the official portal and legislative instruments is essential.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Always consult a MARA-registered migration agent for advice specific to your circumstances.

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