Petition to the Australian Government and the Minister for Immigration

Australian citizens and permanent residents with Iranian backgrounds are increasingly concerned about the treatment of Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) applications submitted by their parents.

From 26 March 2026, the Australian Government introduced a six-month travel restriction affecting certain Iranian visitor visa holders outside Australia. Although the original restriction period ended in September 2026, Iranian families continue to report widespread refusals of new visitor visa applications.

Many affected families report that they are unaware of successful applications among their communities since the restrictions ended. We urgently call on the Government to publish official approval and refusal statistics to establish the true extent of this problem.

Why are Iranian parents being refused visas despite demonstrating a genuine intention to visit temporarily?

Some applicants have previously visited Australia, complied fully with their visa conditions, returned to Iran within the permitted period, maintained property ownership, and demonstrated financial independence.

Yet applications are being refused with significant emphasis placed on the political and economic situation in Iran.

In the majority of documented refusal issued in October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs explicitly acknowledged the applicant's compliant travel history, property ties and sufficient financial resources, but concluded that these positive factors did not outweigh concerns arising from Iran's current circumstances.

This raises a fundamental question of fairness: If an applicant has already demonstrated through their actions that they respect Australian immigration laws, why should their nationality and their country's political circumstances carry such decisive weight?

Iranian Australians should not have to choose between their lives in Australia and maintaining meaningful relationships with their ageing parents.

Many of these parents are elderly. They are not seeking permanent migration. They simply wish to spend time with their children and grandchildren before age and declining health make international travel increasingly difficult.

We recognise Australia's responsibility to protect its borders and assess immigration risks. However, we strongly believe that immigration decisions must remain proportionate, transparent and genuinely based on individual circumstances.

We call on the Australian Government to take immediate action:

Urgently review the high number of reported visitor visa refusals affecting Iranian parents following the expiry of the six-month restrictions.
Ensure Iranian nationality and general political or economic conditions are not treated as automatic grounds for refusal, and that each application receives a genuine individual assessment.
Give meaningful weight to previous lawful travel and timely departure from Australia, particularly where applicants have demonstrated a consistent history of complying with visa conditions.
Introduce clearer and more compassionate assessment guidance for elderly parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents who wish to visit their families temporarily.
Publish monthly visa grant and refusal statistics for Iranian applicants, including the reasons for refusal, to provide transparency and public accountability.
Conduct an independent review of current decision-making practices to determine whether Iranian applicants are being subjected to disproportionate scrutiny compared with applicants from other countries experiencing conflict or instability.
Provide a clear explanation of what changed after the September 2026 expiry of the restrictions, and what practical measures ensure that Iranian families can once again access a fair visitor visa process.
We are not asking for special treatment or automatic visa approvals. We are demanding equal treatment, transparency, compassion and genuine consideration of individual evidence.

Australian citizens and permanent residents of Iranian heritage contribute to this country, build their lives here, and consider Australia their home.

They deserve a fair opportunity to welcome their parents into that home.

A parent's nationality should not become an insurmountable barrier to a temporary family visit.

We urge the Australian Government and the Minister for Immigration to listen to affected families, investigate these concerns, and take meaningful action.

Families deserve answers. Parents deserve fair consideration. Australian families deserve the opportunity to be together.

Sign this petition to demand fair visitor visa assessments for Iranian parents and help reunite Australian families.