The government has reiterated the need for students to remain vigilant, thoroughly informed, and compliant with host country regulations to avoid adverse immigration outcomes
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has disclosed detailed data in Parliament on the deportation and denial of entry of Indian students abroad, offering new insight into the challenges faced by students pursuing overseas education. The information, presented during a recent Lok Sabha session, highlights key trends, destinations, and reasons behind such actions by foreign immigration authorities.
According to the data, a total of several hundred Indian students were deported from foreign countries over the past five years, with the United Kingdom accounting for the highest number. As of January 1, 2025, the UK deported 170 Indian students, followed by Australia with 114 cases, Russia with 82, and the United States with 45. These figures underline that popular study destinations are also among those with the most stringent compliance checks.
-
The MEA clarified that the most common reason for deportation is the breach of student visa conditions
-
Such breaches may include unauthorized work, non-attendance at academic institutions, or deviation from the course or university mentioned in the visa application
-
Authorities in host countries closely monitor compliance, and violations can result in immediate removal
In addition to deportations, the data also revealed cases where Indian students were denied entry altogether. Over the same five-year period, only two countries reported denying entry to Indian students. The United States denied entry to 62 students, while Kyrgyzstan refused study visas to 11 applicants. These denials often occurred at the point of entry rather than during the visa issuance stage.
During parliamentary discussions, the MEA noted that several entry denials stemmed from procedural and documentation-related issues. In many cases, students were found carrying incomplete or incorrect admission letters, had not completed mandatory enrolment formalities, or were unable to clearly explain their chosen field of study when questioned by immigration officials. Such lapses raised doubts about the genuineness of their educational intent.
The disclosures come against the backdrop of a steadily rising number of Indian students going abroad for higher education. Official figures show that 7,50,365 students went overseas in 2022, increasing sharply to 8,94,783 in 2023, before moderating to 7,60,073 in 2024. The scale of this mobility underscores the importance of accurate documentation, preparedness, and adherence to visa rules.
