Yesterday evening, the Minister for Home Affairs announced an Arrival Control Determination will commence from today, 26 March 2026, banning Iranian visitor visa holders from travelling to Australia for six months. The determination is made possible under legislation that passed parliament earlier this month, giving the Minister new powers to temporarily restrict travel to Australia for certain offshore temporary visa holders from specified countries during periods of international risk.
Written by Sheila Woods (MARN: 0533879) of Interstaff 26 March 2026
How the travel ban applies
Who is affected?
Subclass 600 Visitor Visa holders linked to Iranian passports who are outside Australia.
Who is exempt?
- The spouse, de-facto partner or dependant child of an Australian/New Zealand citizen or permanent visa holder
- Parents of a child under 18 in Australia
- A person currently in Australia
- A person with a valid Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC)
Exempt visa holders should prepare evidence that the restrictions do not apply to them before traveling to Australia.
You can check if a Visitor Visa has been affected by requesting an Arrival Control Determination (ACD) check or contacting Interstaff for advice.
Applying for a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC)
Interstaff may be able to assist with requesting a travel certificate for employees whose visitor requirements are critical to your business.
PTC applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and are issued in limited circumstances:
- Visitors that can show they genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily
- The parent of an Australian citizen
PTC requests should be lodged two weeks before intending to travel to Australia.
Established in 1988, Interstaff has over 35 years of Australian visa and migration experience and provides strategic immigration advice to businesses and individuals Australia-wide and internationally. MARN: 0533879.
