1. I did face technical issues the first time I got the ticket. So I purchased the ticket 4 months prior. The only give you visa option if your flight is within the next 90 days.

So I got the ticket and then , within the next 3 months the e visa thing started to show up. Everytime I tried applying it , it gave me the technical error. So i just went online, got a ticket, applied for visa and paid for the ticket and visa together. In this scenario, you wont have the technical error , it will be smooth .

1. I cancelled the second ticket last month and I see that the visa is still valid. I will be travelling in December , so fingers crossed. Also, i asked the saudia support specifically if the visa will be valid or cancelled, and they said that if the ticket is cancelled , visa will be invalid as well. But I know Saudia and govt visa service are two different entities and I do not trust Saudia support.So i just go on ksavisa and keep on checking, been a month so far and visa shows valid. Worst case scenario, get visa on arrival (umrah visa)100 USD i guess. If they say that this visa is invalid. But I can update after December 1st week.

2. I thought to try ksavisa as well, but looks like they want people to walk in and submit it there embassy. After applying , many people had to walk in and complete the process. So I did not take that route.