In February 2025, three U.S. military aircraft landed in Amritsar, repatriating 333 Indian nationals who had attempted to enter the United States through unofficial routes. This event drew attention to a vast, thriving network often referred to as the “Dunki route” or Dunki Migration a term widely used across northern India to describe irregular, multi-country migration journeys to the West, particularly the U.S., Canada, and UK.
What was once whispered about in small towns has become an openly advertised, multi-layered industry driven by dreams of prosperity, structured by elaborate smuggling networks, and supported by growing demand. In 2024 alone, the market for Dunki-style migration has grown into a multi-crore ecosystem, with tens of thousands of Indians embarking on perilous journeys across continents.
The Market Size: Lakhs per Person, Crores per Month
While no official figures quantify the exact size of this underground economy, investigative reports and law enforcement data suggest the going rate for Dunki travel from India to the U.S. ranges from ₹40–60 lakh ($50,000–75,000) per person. In some extreme cases, individuals paid ₹1.25 crore (around $150,000) depending on the complexity of the route and the number of countries transited.
With nearly 90,000 Indian nationals intercepted at U.S. borders in FY2024 alone, this implies an estimated ₹3,600 crore ($430 million) industry annually, assuming only those caught represent a fraction of total migrants.
The Routes: From Punjab to Panama, Gujarat to Guatemala
Most migrants originate from Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana, with others joining from states like Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. These individuals are usually not from impoverished backgrounds but lower-middle or middle-class families who sell land or take loans to fund their overseas ambitions.
Dunki routes often begin with agents arranging travel to visa-easy countries like Guyana, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, or Serbia. From there, migrants are guided through Central America, especially Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and Mexico, eventually attempting to cross into the U.S. or Canada by land.
One of the most dangerous segments is the Darién Gap a dense jungle between Colombia and Panama with no roads and frequent criminal activity. Migrants may spend weeks hiking through the jungle with limited supplies, often assisted by local “coyotes” (smugglers).
The Canada Shift and Northern Route Boom
Recent crackdowns along the U.S.-Mexico border have redirected many to enter via Canada, which saw a record 43,764 Indians detained at its border with the U.S. in FY2024, compared to 25,616 via the southern border.
Some agents now facilitate travel via Schengen countries, especially through the UAE and Turkey. Migrants often use student or tourist visas to reach Europe or Central America before continuing to North America. This shift to the “air-dominated route” reduces jungle crossings but increases the cost.
Agents, Middlemen, and Local Networks
In Indian towns and villages, unlicensed “travel consultants” act as key facilitators. They advertise migration packages openly some with job promises, others offering full transit and legal aid in the destination country.
These agents are often part of multi-tiered international networks. In one Gujarat case, a single agent sent 60 people to the U.S. in one year. Investigations show that each leg of the journey—from India to Dubai, then to Latin America has its own handler, who charges a portion of the total fee. This is why the cost can exceed ₹50 lakh, even before legal fees in the destination country.
Push and Pull: What Fuels the Dunki Dream?
The surge in Dunki migration is not purely economic. Interviews with returnees reveal aspirations of dignity, better work conditions, and long-term settlement. Even low-wage jobs in the U.S. or UK pay 10-15x Indian incomes, making the gamble seem worthwhile.
Success stories also feed the cycle. Entire villages in Punjab and Gujarat showcase families supported by overseas remittances. Posters reading “Make your dream of going abroad come true” are plastered across rural lanes.
Rising Risks and Diplomatic Strains
Despite the growth of the Dunki economy, the human cost remains severe. In 2022, a family of four from Gujarat froze to death near the Canada-U.S. border. In Panama, Indian migrants are frequently robbed or injured crossing rivers and forests.
The phenomenon has triggered diplomatic tensions. The U.S. and India now coordinate charter deportation flights. Canada, the UK, and EU states have tightened visa screening. India, too, has begun work on the Overseas Mobility Bill, which may overhaul emigration laws and regulate unauthorized migration more firmly.
The Future of India’s Migration Market
While governments tighten borders, the demand shows little sign of abating. The Dunki market reflects deep aspirations and frustrations rising education and digital awareness, but limited local opportunities. Unless structural employment and migration reforms are implemented, this parallel migration economy will likely continue to grow.
As one immigration officer remarked, “This is not a law-and-order issue alone. It’s a story of ambition, inequality, and a global labor market out of sync with its borders.”
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