SYDNEY, Australia: Australia has barred Iranian tourists holding valid visas from entering the country for six months, citing concerns they may be unable to return home amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
The temporary ban, which came into force on Thursday, is expected to affect around 6,800 Iranian nationals with tourist visas issued before the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Burke said the decision was taken “in the national interest amid rapidly changing global conditions”.
“There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran which may not have been issued if they were applied for now,” he said in a statement.
“Decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be deliberate decisions of the government, not a random consequence of who had booked a holiday,” he added.
The measure applies only to Iranian nationals holding tourist visas — known as subclass 600 visas — who are currently outside Australia.
The restriction can remain in place for up to six months, after which it must be reviewed.
The government said some exceptions would apply.
These include partners and children of Australian citizens, while “sympathetic consideration” may also be given to parents of citizens.
Other travellers may seek entry by applying for a permitted travel certificate under special circumstances.
Burke said the move followed consultations with the Australian-Iranian community and would allow time to assess the evolving situation while maintaining flexibility.
The decision has drawn criticism from refugee advocates and some lawmakers, who argue it undermines trust in the migration system.
Jana Favero, Deputy Chief Executive of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, described the move as a “massive betrayal of the Iranian community” and a “breathtaking moral failure”.
“In the moment that people need safety the most and their country is being torn apart, the government is slamming the door closed on people from Iran,” she said.
Independent MP Zali Steggall warned the legislation underpinning the ban grants “sweeping, unchecked” powers.
“Invalidating lawfully obtained visas undermines confidence in our entire migration system and sets a dangerous precedent,” she said.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge also criticised the move, saying it contradicts the government’s stated concern for the Iranian people.
The restrictions were enabled by new immigration laws passed earlier this month, allowing the government to block visa holders from specific countries under exceptional circumstances.
The announcement followed a decision by the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant humanitarian visas to seven members of Iran’s women’s football delegation. Five later returned to Iran, while two remain in Australia.
Officials earlier said there were more than 7,200 temporary visa holders in Iran and more than 40,000 across the wider region affected by the conflict.
However, the current ban applies only to tourist visa holders, totalling about 6,800.
