In Jain Dharma, a normal lay follower (śrāvaka / śrāvikā) is not forbidden by scripture from travelling abroad.

What matters is how you live while travelling, not the country you are in.

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1. What do Jain scriptures actually focus on?

Texts that lay down the code of conduct for laypeople, like:

• Śrāvakācāra granths (e.g. Ratnakaraṇḍa Śrāvakācāra of Āchārya Samantabhadra)
• Other śrāvaka‑dharma texts in both Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions

speak mainly about:

• 12 vows of a householder
• Control of violence, lies, stealing, sensuality, possessions
• Right faith, right knowledge, right conduct

They do not give a blanket rule like “you must not cross the sea” or “you must not go to foreign countries” for laypeople. Their concern is: wherever you live or travel, follow your vows and reduce sins (pāpa).

You can read a simple explanation of Ratnakaraṇḍa Śrāvakācāra here

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2. Where did the idea of “no foreign travel” come from?

Historically, in some Jain communities:

• Sea‑voyages and very long journeys were discouraged because

- it was hard to find non‑violent food, - trade could involve himsā, cheating, intoxication etc., - keeping daily discipline and saṅgh‑saṅgati (company of good Jains) was difficult.

So elders or ācāryas sometimes advised against it as a practical caution, not as a universal scriptural sin like killing, lying, etc.

For monks and nuns, most traditions do forbid air/sea travel today, because of their strict mahā‑vratas and walking-only ideal. But your question is about non‑monastics, so that rule does not apply.

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3. Conditions for a Jain layperson travelling abroad

From the viewpoint of śrāvaka‑dharma, travelling abroad is acceptable if:

1. Ahiṁsā (non‑violence)

- Try to avoid work or business that causes direct or large‑scale himsā. - Be careful with food: avoid meat, eggs, alcohol, and as far as possible other himsā‑laden items. - Be mindful of hidden violence (waste, intoxication, unnecessary luxury that supports violent industries, etc.).

1. Satya, acaurya, brahmacarya, aparigraha

- Be honest in documents, contracts, taxes, business. - Avoid immoral relationships and bad company. - Do not let foreign earnings become an excuse for greed and limitless possessions.

1. Daily spiritual discipline

- Maintain samyak darśan–jñān–cāritra as far as possible: - do pūjā / sāmāyika / pratikramaṇa according to your tradition, - maintain Jina‑bhakti and svādhyāya (scriptural study), - keep connection with sadhu–sādhvī / upādhyāya / paṇḍit by discourses, books, or online satsang.

1. Use travel for dharma, not for indulgence

- If going for study, work, or even yātrā, keep dharma as the inner purpose: - improving character, helping beings, supporting śāsana when possible, - not just entertainment, indulgence, or new ways of sensual enjoyment.

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4. Digambar / Śvetāmbara view – any difference?

• Both traditions have śrāvakācāra texts and both lay down similar basic vows.
• Neither tradition has a universally accepted canonical rule that

“a śrāvaka who goes abroad commits a special, separate sin just by travelling.”

Differences may appear:

• In practical instructions of individual ācāryas / saṅghs (some are stricter, some more flexible).
• In how strongly they discourage certain types of work or migration.

These are to be respected as ācārya‑maryādā (discipline of your guru‑paramparā), but they are applications of the general principles, not a new separate scriptural category of sin.

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5. Simple conclusion

For a Jain who is not ordained:

• Scripture does not absolutely ban “going abroad”.
• It does insist that, wherever you live—India or outside—you must:

- guard your vows, - reduce himsā, - avoid wrong livelihood and bad company, - keep regular Jain sādhana and remembrance of the Tīrthaṅkaras.

If travelling abroad helps you support your family and also strengthen your Jain living, and you consciously avoid extra sin, then it is in line with Jain śrāvaka‑dharma. If it becomes a cause for increased violence, intoxication, and spiritual downfall, then it is to be avoided—even within your own city.