Dear Clients,
The Australian Government has issued a Migration (Arrival Control) Determination which commenced on 26 March 2026 and remains in effect for six months.
The Determination will impact individuals who:
- are currently outside Australia or were outside Australia when the Determination began;
- currently hold a SC 600 Visitor Visa; and
- are recorded by the Department as having used a passport issued by the Islamic Republic of Iran when applying for that visa.
Impacted individuals will have their SC 600 Visitor Visa temporarily ceased, meaning they will not be able to enter Australia using this visa. Refunds will not be issued for anyone impacted by this restriction unless they can meet the refund criteria.
Exemptions may apply to current SC 600 Visitor Visa holders with Iranian passports who are:
- 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;
- the parent of a child who is under 18 and in Australia;
- a person who has in Australia when the Determination commenced; or
- a person who has been issued a Permitted Travel Certificate (PTC) that is in force.
To obtain a PTC, applicants will need to submit a request online which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A PTC will only be issued in extremely limited circumstances such as:
- to applicants who are the parent of an Australian citizen; or
- to applicants who can show they genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily.
If you believe you are affected by this Determination and would like to better understand the impacts of this on your visa status, our team at Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne can assist you. Our experienced lawyers can also assist with applying for exemptions and PTC’s if the applicant is eligible, as well as assisting you with navigating other migration options.
Should you have any questions or require any legal assistance, please reach out to our office.
Kind regards,
Nevett Ford Lawyers Melbourne