RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has started travel procedures for Umrah pilgrims whose visas have expired and are late in departing to their countries within the legal period, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Sunday.

The Jawazat added the passengers were received, their departure procedures completed while ensuring implementation of the precautionary measures to prevent any transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

The Jawazat worked in cooperation with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and other authorities in charge of operation at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah in completing the procedures.

These Umrah pilgrims have been registered in the electronic platform of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah.

Royal orders have been issued to exempt them from the legal consequences and the ensuing fines for delay in leaving the country. They have been exempted from being placed on the list of deportees and taking their fingerprints as deportees.

The competent authorities are securing their return to their countries, under supervision of the committee in-charge of the departure of Umrah pilgrims who are late in leaving the country and others wishing to travel.