Temporary travel restrictions for Visitor visa holders with Iranian passports

An ‘Arrival Control Determination’ was made on 26 March 2026 and will be in force for six months.

Information is available on the department’s website: Arrival Control Determination

Who is affected

If you are outside Australia and hold a Visitor visa (Subclass 600) linked to an Iranian passport, your visa temporarily ceases to be in effect, unless an exemption applies.  You cannot travel to Australia while the Determination is in force unless you are issued a Permitted Travel Certificate

Who is not affected

The Determination does not apply to the following Visitor visa holders with Iranian passports:

• the spouse, de facto partner or dependent child of an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent visa holder, or an Australian resident who is not subject to a time limitation (such as a New Zealand citizen)
• the parent of a child who is under 18 and in Australia
• a person who was in Australia when the Arrival Control Determination commenced
• a person who has been issued a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) that is in force. 

Permitted Travel Certificates (PTC)

If the Determination applies to you, but you still wish to travel to Australia, you may apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate. If you are issued with a certificate 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.

These are only issued in limited cases, such as if you are:

• the parent of an Australian citizen, or
• someone who can show they plan to visit temporarily and return home.
• You must apply for a PTC using the Arrival Control Determination Portal at least two weeks before you plan to travel.

Checking your status or applying

You can use the Department of Home Affairs’ secure online Arrival Control Determination Portal to:

• Check if the Determination applies to you.
• Apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate.

Go to the website to learn more: Arrival Control Determination.