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Sunday, Dec 28, 2025
Outside the box.
Saudi Arabia Overtakes United States in Deporting Indian Nationals in 2025
New government data shows Riyadh was the largest source of Indian deportations worldwide this year amid visa overstay and immigration compliance issues
In 2025, Saudi Arabia deported more Indian nationals than any other country, surpassing the United States in removals, according to official figures presented by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament.
Data shared in the Rajya Sabha shows that more than 24,600 Indian citizens were deported from 81 countries during the year, with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for over 11,000 of those returns, making it the largest source of deportations for Indian nationals globally.
The figures highlight a significant shift in migration enforcement patterns, as many Indian workers in Gulf states, particularly in Saudi Arabia, were repatriated due to visa overstays, documentation issues and breaches of immigration regulations.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has a substantial Indian expatriate population, and compliance with evolving labour and residency laws has increasingly come under scrutiny, prompting higher removal numbers.
By comparison, the United States also recorded elevated deportations of Indians in 2025, although far fewer than Saudi Arabia.
Official U.S. government disclosures indicate that over three thousand Indian nationals were removed from American territory this year, marking a sharp increase compared with prior years and the highest levels seen in more than a decade.
U.S. deportations were predominantly linked to violations of immigration law, such as illegal entry, unauthorised stays and breaches of visa conditions.
Indian deportation figures from the U.S. reflect broader trends under evolving American immigration enforcement policies, with removals rising steadily over recent years.
Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia’s role as the top destination for deportations this year underscores the scale of Indian labour migration to the Middle East and the challenges associated with legal compliance in host countries.
In response to the data, Indian officials have underscored the need for stronger bilateral cooperation on migration management, enhanced awareness of host country laws among migrant workers and reinforced measures to protect Indian citizens abroad.
The government said it continues to engage with authorities in both the Gulf and the United States to ensure deportations are handled with due respect for human dignity and legal norms, while also addressing the root causes of irregular migration and documentation lapses.
Data shared in the Rajya Sabha shows that more than 24,600 Indian citizens were deported from 81 countries during the year, with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for over 11,000 of those returns, making it the largest source of deportations for Indian nationals globally.
The figures highlight a significant shift in migration enforcement patterns, as many Indian workers in Gulf states, particularly in Saudi Arabia, were repatriated due to visa overstays, documentation issues and breaches of immigration regulations.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has a substantial Indian expatriate population, and compliance with evolving labour and residency laws has increasingly come under scrutiny, prompting higher removal numbers.
By comparison, the United States also recorded elevated deportations of Indians in 2025, although far fewer than Saudi Arabia.
Official U.S. government disclosures indicate that over three thousand Indian nationals were removed from American territory this year, marking a sharp increase compared with prior years and the highest levels seen in more than a decade.
U.S. deportations were predominantly linked to violations of immigration law, such as illegal entry, unauthorised stays and breaches of visa conditions.
Indian deportation figures from the U.S. reflect broader trends under evolving American immigration enforcement policies, with removals rising steadily over recent years.
Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia’s role as the top destination for deportations this year underscores the scale of Indian labour migration to the Middle East and the challenges associated with legal compliance in host countries.
In response to the data, Indian officials have underscored the need for stronger bilateral cooperation on migration management, enhanced awareness of host country laws among migrant workers and reinforced measures to protect Indian citizens abroad.
The government said it continues to engage with authorities in both the Gulf and the United States to ensure deportations are handled with due respect for human dignity and legal norms, while also addressing the root causes of irregular migration and documentation lapses.
