Riyadh — Saudi Arabia has deported more Indian nationals than any other country over the past five years, official data presented by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shows, surpassing even the United States in the number of removals during the period from 2021 to 2025.
According to numbers shared in a Rajya Sabha reply, Saudi Arabia recorded the highest deportations of Indian citizens worldwide.
Data provided by the Indian mission in Riyadh indicates that 8,887 Indians were deported in 2021, 10,277 in 2022, 11,486 in 2023, 9,206 in 2024, and 7,019 so far in 2025.
In contrast, the number of Indian nationals deported from the United States remained significantly lower. According to MEA data, the Washington DC mission reported 805 deportations in 2021, 862 in 2022, 617 in 2023, 1,368 in 2024, and 3,414 in 2025.
MEA Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh explained in the parliamentary response that deportation figures reflect actions taken by host countries and are typically recorded when nationality verification and Emergency Certificates (ECs) are issued.
He noted that although many countries do not routinely share detailed detention data with Indian missions, these official figures provide insight into enforcement trends.
Reasons Behind Deportations
The MEA said there are several common factors that lead to deportation of Indian citizens abroad. These include:
- Overstaying beyond the visa or residency validity period
- Working without a valid work permit
- Violating local labour regulations
- Leaving an employer without notice
- Involvement in civil or criminal cases
These issues are especially prevalent in countries with large migrant workforces, where visa and employment conditions are strictly enforced.
Global Deportation
Overall, more than 24,600 Indians are estimated to have been deported from 81 countries worldwide in 2025, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the largest share.
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Countries such as the UAE, Myanmar and Malaysia also reported significant deportations tied to visa and labour law violations.
The deportation trends underscore ongoing challenges faced by Indian migrant workers abroad and highlight the importance of regulatory awareness and compliance with host country laws.