Travel alert: The new 6 month entry ban for visitor visa holders from Iran
With the war in the Middle East now in its fifth week, uncertainty has wreaked havoc on international travel. Australia’s recent policy changes banning some visa holders from entering Australia has added even more confusion and anxiety to this. Find out whether these recent changes affect you and what it means for future travel to Australia.
On 26 March 2026, the Minister for Immigration implemented measures banning the entry into Australia for the following cohort of people:
Holders of a passport issued by the Islamic Republic of Iran who have a current Subclass 600 visitor visa and;
Who are outside of Australia as at 26 March 2026
These measures remain in place for 6 months and the visitor visas held by citizens of Iran who are outside Australia will cease to be in effect temporarily for this period, therefore preventing entry into Australia. Visitor visa holders who were already in Australia on 26 March 2026 are not affected by this entry ban.
Who is exempted from this temporary ban?
Visitor visa holders from Iran who are outside of Australia are effectively banned from entry into Australia for the next 6 months. However, exemptions apply for the following group of people:
Spouses, de facto partners or dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens
The parent of a child who is in Australia and under the age of 18
A person who was in Australia on 26 March 2026
A person who has been issued a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC)
To check if the ban applies to you, you will need to visit the Department of Home Affairs’ Arrival Control Determination Portal. The same website allows individuals to apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) to seek an exemption to travel to Australia. Individuals who are the parent of an Australian citizen or are able to show they genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia may be issued the PTC. Applications for a PTC must be made at least 2 weeks before the intended travel date and no more than 2 months before the intended travel date to Australia.
If I’m currently banned, when will I be able to enter Australia?
At this stage, the Minister for Immigration has announced that these measures are in place temporarily for 6 months. At the earliest, Iranian passport holders who have a visitor visa that remains valid in 6 months time, may be able to enter after this time. Those who have been issued with a PTC during the next 6 months may also travel to Australia. However, there is the possibility of the ban being extended, depending on developments in the Middle East and other parts of the world.
Possible expansion of entry bans
On 14 March 2026, the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026 came into effect. These powers allow the Minister for Immigration to implement entry bans to certain passport holders who hold temporary visas when events or circumstances overseas raise the risk that certain temporary visa holders will not depart Australia when their visas expire.
Circumstances in other parts of the world over the next few months will determine whether the Minister extends these bans to other passport holders and/or to include other types of visa subclasses. We recommend people to stay informed and monitor updates relating to this.
Immigration advice for travellers and family members
Are you unsure about what this means for you or your family members who are looking to travel to Australia? If so, the team at Titan Migration can assist you with accurate and timely advice to ensure there are no disruptions to your travel plans. Book a consultation with our migration agent today!
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About Peter Chang
Peter Chang is a registered migration agent and the co-founder of Titan Migration, a consultancy specialising in providing Australian immigration advice and visa assistance services. He is a NSW Justice of the Peace and has previously worked in the Commonwealth and NSW Public Service.