Riyadh/New Delhi, December 28, 2025
In a stark revelation highlighting the vulnerabilities of Indian migrant workers in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia deported over 11,000 Indian nationals in 2025—far surpassing the figures from the United States and the United Arab Emirates—primarily due to visa overstays, fraudulent job placements, and labor law violations. The data, tabled by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Parliament, underscores a troubling trend in the kingdom's stringent immigration enforcement, affecting thousands of families back home.
According to official figures, a total of 24,670 Indians were deported from 81 countries worldwide this year, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the lion's share at more than 11,000 cases. This marks the highest annual tally from any single nation, eclipsing even the deportation drives under the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump. In comparison, the U.S. sent back 3,258 Indian nationals—mostly private employees and undocumented migrants—marking the highest since 2009 but still less than a third of Saudi's number. The UAE, another key destination for Indian expatriates, recorded 1,469 deportations, the second-highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
The surge in Saudi deportations reflects a broader GCC-wide intensification of migrant worker scrutiny, driven by economic diversification efforts under Saudi Vision 2030 and post-pandemic labor market reforms. "Visa overstays beyond validity periods, working without proper permits, violating labor regulations, and absconding from sponsors" were cited as the leading causes, with fake job offers from unscrupulous recruitment agents playing a significant role. Many deportees arrived on pilgrim visas or tourist entries, only to seek unauthorized employment in construction, hospitality, and domestic sectors, experts noted.
- | Country | Deportations of Indians in 2025 | Primary Reasons |
- | Saudi Arabia | 11,000+ | Visa overstays, fake jobs, illegal work |
- | United States | 3,258 | Undocumented status, criminal violations |
- | UAE | 1,469 | Residency permit expirations, labor disputes |
- | Global Total | 24,670 | Varied (81 countries) |
Source: India's Ministry of External Affairs data
"This isn't just about numbers; it's about lives upended by systemic issues in migration," said Ravi Kumar, an advocate for migrant rights at the New Delhi-based Migrant Workers' Forum. "Fraudulent agents promise lucrative jobs but deliver exploitation, leaving workers trapped in a cycle of debt and deportation." Kumar pointed to a rise in complaints against Indian recruitment firms, with over 500 cases registered in 2025 alone for misleading overseas placements.
The MEA's response has included enhanced counseling at Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah, repatriation flights, and awareness campaigns warning against "too-good-to-be-true" job offers. "We are working with Saudi authorities to streamline verification processes and protect genuine workers," a ministry spokesperson told reporters. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to regulate the $10-billion Indian overseas recruitment industry, which often preys on low-skilled laborers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala.
For many deportees, the return is bittersweet. Take Rajesh Patel, a 32-year-old from Lucknow who was deported last month after his construction job in Riyadh turned out to be a sham. "I sold my land to pay the agent ₹2 lakh for a 'guaranteed' visa. Now I'm back with nothing but debts," Patel shared in an interview. His story echoes thousands: families shattered, skills wasted, and dreams deferred.
As 2025 draws to a close, the data serves as a wake-up call for safer migration pathways. With Saudi's job market projected to grow amid mega-projects like NEOM, experts urge bilateral pacts to curb fraud and ensure fair labor practices. Until then, the human cost of unchecked migration brokers remains a harsh reality for India's global workforce.
For More News Updates Follow Us On Www.tconews.in
