Iranian visitors will be barred from travelling to Australia under new laws aimed at “protecting the integrity and sustainability” of the migration system.
Earlier this month, the federal government rushed legislation through Parliament to block people with temporary visas from nominated countries from entering Australia for up to six months.
An “arrival control determination” will come into effect tomorrow for visitors from Iran, amid concerns from the Albanese government that some temporary visa holders may be “unable or unlikely” to leave Australia when their visas expire.
The rule will apply only to individuals outside Australia who hold a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa linked to an Iranian passport.
Iranians already in Australia, or in transit, will be exempt from the restrictions, along with spouses or dependent children of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said a small number of people would be granted a “permitted travel certificate” on a case-by-case basis.
“There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran that may not have been granted if they were applied for now,” Mr Burke said.
“Decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be deliberate decisions of the government, not a random consequence of who had booked a holiday.
“The Australian government is closely monitoring global developments and will adjust settings as required to ensure Australia’s migration system remains orderly, fair and sustainable.” (ABC News)