More Indians deported from Saudi Arabia than US in 2025

Some of the common reasons for the deportation of Indians -- particularly in Gulf nations -- include visa or residency overstays, working without valid permits, labour law violations, among others

• Over 24,600 Indians deported worldwide in 2025, with Saudi Arabia leading
• US deported about 3,800 Indians, highest in five years due to stricter scrutiny
• Deportations tied to visa overstays, work permit issues, and cyber slavery cases

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The latest ministry of external affairs (MEA) figures tabled in Rajya Sabha show that over 24,600 Indians were deported worldwide in 2025, spanning 81 countries. Notably, Saudi Arabia and not the United States deported the maximum number of Indians, according to the data.

While Saudi Arabia deported over 11,000 Indians in 2025, the US deported about 3,800 people, mostly private employees, according to a report by Times of India. However, the number of Indians deported from the US was the highest in the past five years.

This, as per experts, was due to crackdown involving enhanced scrutiny of documents, visas, work permits and overstays by the Trump administration.

Most deportations from the US were from Washington DC (3,414) and Houston (234).

The MEA data shows that several countries recorded notable numbers of Indian deportations, including Myanmar (1,591), Malaysia (1,485), the UAE (1,469), Bahrain (764), Thailand (481) and Cambodia (305). Some of the common reasons for the deportation of Indians -- particularly in Gulf nations -- include visa or residency overstays, working without valid permits, labour law violations, among others.

Bheema Reddy, vice-chairman of Telangana government’s NRI advisory committee told TOI, “This is a pattern with Gulf countries, which see a large migration of workers from India who either take up jobs as labourers in the construction sector, become caregivers, or work as househelp. Most of them are low-skilled workers who migrate through agents and, in many cases, in an attempt to earn extra money, end up involved in minor offences.”

"In other instances, lack of awareness about local laws and regulations proves costly," he added.

Deportations from Myanmar and Cambodia show a different pattern, Reddy said, noting that many cases are linked to cyber slavery. Indians are often lured by promises of high-paying jobs, coerced into illegal activities, and later detained and deported.

Meanwhile, among students, the deportations were highest from the UK (170), followed by Australia (114), Russia (82), and the US (45).