Australia bans visitors from Iran

Published March 26, 2026

Australia has banned visitors from Iran, saying war in the Middle East increased the risk they would refuse to fly home once their short-term visas expired, AFP reports.

For the next six months people travelling on Iranian passports will be barred from visiting Australia for tourism or work, the Home Affairs department said.

“The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire,” it said in a statement.

Some exceptions would be made on a case-by-case basis, the department added, such as for the parents of Australian citizens.

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