The data was shared in a written reply by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on December 18, shedding light on the scale of deportations and the reasons behind them. The disclosure comes amid heightened global scrutiny of immigration enforcement, particularly in Western countries.
Saudi Arabia Leads Indian Deportations
According to data provided by the Indian mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia deported a total of 7,019 Indian nationals in 2025 alone. This number includes deportations recorded by the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, which accounted for 3,865 cases during the year.
The figures highlight a consistent trend over the past five years, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the country deporting the most Indians annually. In 2021, as many as 8,887 Indians were deported. The number rose sharply in 2022 to 10,277 and further increased to 11,486 in 2023.
Although the figures dipped slightly in subsequent years, Saudi Arabia still deported 9,206 Indians in 2024, followed by 7,019 in 2025. These numbers cumulatively place the Gulf nation far ahead of other countries in terms of Indian deportations.
United States Deportation Numbers Lower
In comparison, deportations from the United States remained significantly lower despite increased immigration enforcement. Data shared by the Indian mission in Washington DC indicates that 3,414 Indians were deported from the US in 2025.
The year-wise data shows that 805 Indians were deported in 2021, followed by 862 in 2022. The number declined to 617 in 2023 but rose again to 1,368 in 2024 before peaking in 2025.
Meanwhile, deportation figures from Indian consulates across major US cities, including San Francisco, New York, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago, remained relatively modest, mostly ranging from double digits to a few hundred cases annually.
Why Deportation Data Is Limited
In his reply, the minister clarified that Indian missions abroad are not routinely informed about arrests, detentions, or deportations of Indian nationals. Such information is shared only in cases where nationality verification or the issuance of an Emergency Certificate is required.
This explains variations in reported data between different Indian missions and consulates, particularly in countries with decentralised immigration systems.
Common Reasons for Deportation
The MEA outlined several reasons for the detention and deportation of Indians abroad. These include overstaying beyond the permitted visa or residency period, working without a valid work permit, and violations of local labour laws.
Other common causes include leaving an employer without notice, breaching contract terms, and involvement in civil or criminal cases. In Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, strict labour and residency regulations often lead to swift deportation for violations.
The government has repeatedly advised Indian nationals working overseas to remain compliant with local laws and employment conditions to avoid legal complications.
Government Monitoring and Assistance
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor the welfare of Indian nationals abroad through its missions and consulates. It also provides legal and consular assistance where permissible under local laws.
