Australia Suspends Visas for Iranian Visitors Amid Middle East Conflict — What Travellers Need to Know

Last updated: Mar 31, 2026

Australia has temporarily banned Iranian nationals holding Visitor (Subclass 600) visas from entering the country. The Arrival Control Determination, which took effect on 26 March 2026, suspends travel rights for an estimated 7,000 offshore Iranian visitor visa holders for six months. The move comes as the Middle East conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran continues to escalate.

If you’re an Iranian passport holder with an Australian visitor visa, or a Gulf-based worker affected by this policy, here’s what you need to know — including who is exempt, how to apply for an exception, and what alternatives exist for your travel plans. You can also check live flight status through the Wego flight tracker and search for flights to Sydney or flights to Melbourne once travel resumes.

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What Happened and Why

On 12 March 2026, Australia’s Parliament passed the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act, which received Royal Assent on 13 March and commenced the following day. The law introduced a new mechanism called an “arrival control determination” under Section 84B of the Migration Act.

This power allows the Minister for Home Affairs to temporarily freeze travel rights for entire classes of offshore temporary visa holders — defined by nationality, visa subclass, or both — through a single legislative instrument.

The trigger: escalation in the Middle East

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, including strikes on the UAE, where Australia maintains a military presence at Al Minhad Air Base.

The Australian government argued that the conflict increased the risk of temporary visa holders being unable or unwilling to return home when their visas expire, potentially leading to a spike in onshore protection claims.

Who Is Affected

The first Arrival Control Determination — Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (LIN 26/040) — specifically targets:

Iranian passport holders who hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa
Who are currently outside Australia as of 26 March 2026

This means if you’re an Iranian national living and working in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, or anywhere else in the Gulf region with an approved Australian visitor visa, your visa has been effectively frozen. You will be denied boarding on flights to Sydney, Melbourne, or any other Australian airport.

What about other visa types and nationalities?

For now, only the Subclass 600 visitor visa linked to Iranian passports is affected. However, the legislation gives the government the power to issue additional determinations targeting other nationalities or visa subclasses — including student, work, and sporting visas.

The broader law was designed with a wider scope in mind. Government data shows roughly 61,000 temporary visa holders are currently in the Middle East, including approximately 11,000 from Israel and over 1,000 from Lebanon. Future determinations could extend to these groups depending on how the conflict evolves.

Who Is Exempt

Not everyone with an Iranian passport and Subclass 600 visa is affected. The determination includes several key exemptions:

Iranian citizens already in Australia — your visa remains valid and you can continue your stay
Travellers already in transit to Australia when the determination took effect on 26 March, including those transiting through a third country for less than 24 hours
Spouses, de facto partners, or dependent children of Australian citizens, permanent visa holders, or usual residents of Australia
Parents of a child under 18 who is currently in Australia
Holders of a Permitted Travel Certificate (more on this below)

If you fall into any of these categories, you should still contact the Department of Home Affairs to confirm your eligibility before travelling.

How to Apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate

If you don’t qualify for an automatic exemption but have an urgent reason to travel to Australia, you can request a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC). This is assessed case by case and granted only in very limited circumstances.

Eligibility criteria

You’ll need to demonstrate compelling or compassionate reasons for travelling to Australia. Examples that may be considered include:

Urgent medical treatment not available elsewhere
Attending the funeral of a close family member in Australia
Being the parent of an Australian citizen
Other significant personal circumstances with evidence that you genuinely intend to stay temporarily

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through the Department of Home Affairs’ Arrival Control Determination Portal. You should apply at least 2 weeks before your intended travel date, but no more than 2 months in advance. Wait for an email confirming approval before making any travel arrangements.

The Minister is under no obligation to assess or approve requests — the decision is fully discretionary. A strong submission with supporting evidence is essential.

What You Should Do Now if You’re Affected

If you’re an Iranian passport holder in the Gulf region with an existing or planned trip to Australia, here are practical steps to take right now.

Check your visa status

Log in to your ImmiAccount or use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system to confirm whether your visa has been affected by the determination.

Don’t book flights yet

If your visa is frozen, do not book or attempt to board flights to Australia. Airlines will deny boarding, and you won’t receive a refund under the determination. If you’ve already booked, contact your airline about rebooking or refund options. Check current flight availability through Wego once your travel status is confirmed.

Monitor for updates

The determination lasts six months from 26 March 2026 and cannot be extended, though a new determination could be issued after it expires. Bookmark the Department of Home Affairs’ Arrival Control page for the latest updates.

New visa applications are still accepted

The determination does not prevent you from applying for a new Australian visa. Applications already lodged and new applications will continue to be processed and assessed on their merits. However, even if granted, the visa may not be usable for travel until the determination expires or you obtain a PTC.

Explore alternative destinations

If your travel to Australia was for tourism or a short visit, consider alternative destinations while the restriction is in place. Search for flights to Kuala Lumpur, flights to Bangkok, or flights to Istanbul on Wego to explore options that remain open to Iranian passport holders.

Could More Countries Be Added?

The legislation is not limited to Iran. The arrival control power allows the Minister to issue determinations for any nationality and any temporary visa subclass, provided three conditions are met:

An event or circumstance has occurred outside Australia
The Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs both give written agreement
The Minister is satisfied the determination is in the national interest

Given that Australia’s Smartraveller advisory currently warns against all travel to Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen — and also advises “do not travel” to the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait — travellers from these countries should be aware that further determinations remain possible.

Human rights organisations including Human Rights Watch and the Human Rights Law Centre have criticised the legislation, arguing it could leave people stranded in active conflict zones. The policy remains politically contentious in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Australian visitor visa cancelled?

No. Your visa is suspended, not cancelled. It temporarily “ceases to be in effect” while the Arrival Control Determination is active. If the determination expires without renewal, your visa should reactivate — though you should verify this with the Department of Home Affairs before making travel plans.

I’m an Iranian national living in Dubai. Does this affect me?

Yes, if you hold a Subclass 600 visitor visa linked to your Iranian passport. Your residence in the UAE does not exempt you — the determination is based on passport nationality, not country of residence. You may apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate if you have compelling reasons to travel.

Can I still apply for other types of Australian visas?

Yes. The determination only affects the Subclass 600 visitor visa. You can still apply for student visas, work visas, or other visa subclasses. However, future determinations could potentially extend to other visa types, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest information before applying.

How long does the ban last?

The current determination is in force for six months from 26 March 2026, meaning it expires around late September 2026. It cannot be extended, but a new determination may be issued if the government decides the conditions still warrant it.

Will other Middle East nationalities be affected next?

It’s possible but not confirmed. The legislation allows determinations for any nationality and temporary visa type. Israeli, Lebanese, and other Middle East nationals with temporary Australian visas should monitor the situation closely, especially given Australia’s current “do not travel” advisories for multiple countries in the region.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.