Saudi Arabia has deported more Indian nationals than any other country over the past five years, surpassing even the United States. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), these deportations are mainly due to overstaying visas, breaking labor laws, or other legal violations, rather than illegal border crossings.

Data from Indian missions shows that Saudi Arabia sent back 8,887 Indians in 2021, 10,277 in 2022, 11,486 in 2023, and 9,206 in 2024. This year, 7,019 Indian nationals have already been deported. By comparison, deportations from the US remain much lower. In Washington DC, the figures were 805 in 2021, 862 in 2022, 617 in 2023, 1,368 in 2024, and 3,414 in 2025. Other US missions, including New York, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago, reported much smaller numbers, mostly in double digits or low hundreds.

The MEA stated that Indian nationals are deported for various reasons, such as overstaying visas, working without permits, violating labor regulations, absconding from employers, or being involved in civil or criminal cases. Indian embassies and consulates actively coordinate with host governments to ensure the safe repatriation of citizens and provide guidance during legal matters.

Besides Saudi Arabia and the US, other countries deporting significant numbers of Indians include Myanmar, UAE, Malaysia, Bahrain, Thailand, and Cambodia. The government emphasized the need for citizens abroad to follow local laws carefully to avoid detention or deportation.

Officials also highlighted that protecting Indian nationals overseas is a top priority. Awareness campaigns, guidance from embassies, and timely communication with host authorities aim to prevent problems and ensure citizens receive support while living or working abroad.