DUBAI: New official figures released by India’s external affairs ministry show that more than24,600 Indians deported globally in 2025, with Saudi Arabia, not the United States, emerging as the single largest contributor.
The data, disclosed in Parliament and cited across multiple international reports, challenge widespread assumptions about deportations being driven mainly by Western immigration crackdowns.
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Saudi Arabia deported the highest number of Indians in 2025
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Saudi Arabia deported around 11,000 Indian nationals in 2025, nearly half of all global removals recorded so far this year.
That figure places the kingdom well ahead of the United States, despite frequent political rhetoric in Washington around tighter migration controls.
Officials point to stepped-up residency compliance checks, labour law enforcement, and coordinated repatriation flights as key drivers behind the Saudi numbers.
Global deportations: country-wise breakdown
Based on MEA data referenced by Indian and international media, deportations in 2025 are distributed as follows:
| Country | Indians deported (2025) | Key trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | ~11,000 | Residency, labour, and visa violations |
| United States | ~4,800 | Overstay, asylum rejections |
| United Arab Emirates | ~2,500 | Visa overstays, job loss |
| Kuwait | ~1,400 | Residency status checks |
| Oman | ~900 | Labour documentation gaps |
| Others | ~4,000 | Mixed immigration violations |
| Total | 24,600+ | — |
Figures are based on MEA disclosures and embassy briefings.
Why Gulf deportations are rising
For Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, the trend reflects tighter post-pandemic labour regulation rather than mass expulsion campaigns.
Officials familiar with the process say deportations typically follow:
- Prolonged visa overstays
- Workers absconding after job loss
- Employers cancelling permits without follow-up exits
- Fraud linked to recruitment or cyber labour scams
Saudi Arabia, in particular, has intensified inspections under its labour nationalisation and workforce localisation programs.
Not driven by US politics, despite perception
Several reports note that despite former US President Donald Trump repeatedly highlighting deportations during campaign speeches, the US does not top the 2025 list.
In fact, Saudi Arabia’s deportation count alone more than doubles that of the US, according to Indian government figures.
This disconnect, analysts say, highlights how deportation narratives often trail behind administrative reality.
What this means for Indian workers in the UAE and Gulf
For Indian expats across the UAE and wider Gulf, the data carries a practical message: documentation compliance matters more than ever.
Labour advisers in Dubai say most removals could be avoided through timely visa renewals, employer follow-ups, and exit planning during job transitions.
“The risk isn’t sudden deportation,” one adviser said. “It’s silence — when visas lapse, and people assume grace periods will stretch indefinitely.”
The 2025 deportation data underscores a clear shift. Enforcement pressure is now concentrated closer to home for Indian workers in the Gulf, not thousands of miles away in North America.
For expats, it’s less about headlines and more about paperwork — visas, permits, and exit plans — quietly shaping outcomes behind the scenes.
