Australian Immigration Daily News

The Migration (United Nations Security Council Resolutions) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/008) commenced on 21 March 2026, updating the UNSC sanctions framework within Australian migration law.

Made under the Migration (UNSC Resolutions) Regulations 2007, the Instrument specifies the current UNSC resolutions that identify individuals subject to international travel bans. It replaces IMMI 14/034 and ensures Australia remains aligned with its obligations under the UN Charter.

Scope of the Instrument

The Instrument applies to individuals designated under UNSC sanctions regimes, including:

Country-specific regimes

Lebanon, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, Haiti and North Korea.

Non-state actors

Al-Qaida, ISIL (Da’esh), Taliban and Al-Shabaab.

It also removes outdated regimes, including Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Eritrea.

Migration Law Impact

Where a person is designated under a relevant UNSC resolution, Australia must prevent their entry or transit. This is implemented through visa refusal or cancellation under section 116(1)(g) of the Migration Act 1958.

Importantly, the regime is designation-based, not nationality-based.

Exceptions

Exemptions may apply where:

• a UNSC committee approves travel; or

• there are humanitarian, medical, legal or compelling circumstances.

Conclusion

LIN 26/008 updates Australia’s migration framework to reflect current UNSC sanctions. Practitioners must focus on whether a person is UNSC-designated, rather than their nationality, when assessing visa risks.

Source: Migration-United-Nations-Security-Council-Resolutions-Instrument-2026.pdf and

Migration-United-Nations-Security-Council-Resolutions-Instrument-2026-explanatory-statement.pdf