LONDON: The Syrian Arab Republic’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Umrah pilgrims from the country who had overstayed their legally allotted time in Saudi Arabia would be exempt from penalty fees if they registered within a week for the procedures required to facilitate their return home.

The decision by the ministry’s Consular Affairs Directorate applies to penalties imposed under Article 35 of Syria’s Residency Law in cases dating from Aug. 9, 2021 until Oct. 15 this year, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

The directorate said the decision came as part of ongoing cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia. In a statement posted on Thursday on his Facebook page, the head of the directorate, Mohammed Yaqoub Al-Omar, urged eligible Syrians to contact authorities to regularize their status and arrange a return home.

He said they must register within one week of the announcement, and their names would be submitted to Saudi authorities to facilitate departure.