Fresh statistics tabled in the Rajya Sabha on 6 February reveal that 168,000 Indians were deported worldwide between 2021 and 2025 and that 72 % of those removals originated in just two Gulf states—Saudi Arabia (120,314) and the United Arab Emirates (21,310). The United States deported 3,801 Indians in 2025, a sharp increase from 2,137 in 2024 but still far below Gulf figures.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the majority of Gulf returns involved low-skilled workers whose residence permits lapsed after pandemic-era amnesties ended. He also confirmed that New Delhi has lodged complaints with Washington over the use of restraints on women and children aboard ICE charter flights.
![Parliament data show UAE and Saudi deportations dominate 2025 returns of Indian nationals]()
Why it matters: large-scale removals disrupt corporate mobility programmes that rely on contract labour in construction, oil & gas and hospitality across the GCC. Employers must now factor in tighter Saudi and UAE immigration enforcement, higher documentary scrutiny and potential early-termination costs when drafting assignment letters. The data also underscore the importance of vetting third-party recruiters: 3,505 unregistered travel agents are now black-listed on the government’s e-Migrate portal, and enforcement agencies have opened investigations into human-trafficking rings in Punjab and Haryana.
Mobility compliance teams should conduct audits of Gulf-stationed staff to ensure iqama renewals are filed on time and that workers avoid unauthorised secondary employment, which authorities cited as a key trigger for deportation.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the majority of Gulf returns involved low-skilled workers whose residence permits lapsed after pandemic-era amnesties ended. He also confirmed that New Delhi has lodged complaints with Washington over the use of restraints on women and children aboard ICE charter flights.
Why it matters: large-scale removals disrupt corporate mobility programmes that rely on contract labour in construction, oil & gas and hospitality across the GCC. Employers must now factor in tighter Saudi and UAE immigration enforcement, higher documentary scrutiny and potential early-termination costs when drafting assignment letters. The data also underscore the importance of vetting third-party recruiters: 3,505 unregistered travel agents are now black-listed on the government’s e-Migrate portal, and enforcement agencies have opened investigations into human-trafficking rings in Punjab and Haryana.
Mobility compliance teams should conduct audits of Gulf-stationed staff to ensure iqama renewals are filed on time and that workers avoid unauthorised secondary employment, which authorities cited as a key trigger for deportation.
Source: Business Standard
