Arrival Control Determination 2026: Impact on Iranian Visitor Visa Holders

On 26 March 2026, the Australian Government introduced the Migration (Arrival Control) Determination 2026 (LIN 26/040). This is a temporary measure that directly affects certain Iranian passport holders with Visitor visas.

What Has Changed?

Under this measure, a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa will temporarily cease to be in effect if the visa holder:

• Is outside Australia on 26 March 2026
• Holds a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa
• Used an Iranian passport in their visa application

If all three apply, the visa is effectively paused, meaning:

• The person cannot travel to Australia
• The visa is not cancelled, but it is not usable during this period

Important Clarification

This measure does NOT affect:

• Iranian visa holders already inside Australia
• Other visa subclasses (e.g. student, work visas)
• Non-Iranian passport holders

No Automatic Refunds

Affected visa holders should not expect compensation.

• No refund is available simply because travel is restricted
• Refunds are only possible under limited criteria (Regulation 2.12F), which will rarely apply in practice

Who Is Exempt?

The Determination does not apply to Iranian Visitor visa holders who are:

• The spouse or partner of:
  • An Australian citizen
  • A permanent resident
  • An eligible New Zealand citizen
• The dependent child of the above
• The parent of a child under 18 in Australia
• A person who was already in Australia on 26 March 2026
• A person holding a valid Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC)

These exemptions are critical and should be assessed carefully before assuming the visa is unusable.

Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC)

For those affected, the only pathway to travel is obtaining a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC).

Key points

• Applications are assessed case-by-case
• Approval is limited and discretionary
• Typical scenarios may include:
  • Parents of Australian citizens
  • Individuals who can demonstrate genuine temporary intent

Timing requirements

• Apply at least 2 weeks before travel
• No earlier than 2 months before intended travel

Practical reality

A strong PTC request must include:

• A clear legal submission
• Supporting evidence of ties and temporary intent
• A structured explanation of why an exemption should apply

Final Note

This measure is currently set to operate for six months, but policy settings can change quickly. If you are unsure where you stand, a proper assessment of your situation is essential before taking any action.