Australia banned visitors from Iran on Thursday, saying war in the Middle East increased the risk they would refuse to fly home once their short-term visas expired.
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.
“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,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
“Decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be deliberate decisions of the government, not a random consequence of who booked a holiday.”
(AFP)
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