Delays and problems have been reported for acquiring a US Visa. About 116, 000 participants from different parts of the world who are intending to attend exhibitions in the United States were prevented from obtaining a visa. This is as per a study conducted for the Center for Exhibition Industry Research by the Oxford Economics.

The study revealed the long and tedious process for obtaining a US visa. This led to losses of about billions of dollars in terms of foreign trade. The main reason for this has been the inability to meet with prospective clients by US firms. Losses were also catered due to lack of international visitors who would have otherwise spent in hospitality and meeting industries.

The hindrances had come about mainly in India, Brazil, China and Russia. According to Steven Hacker, President and CEO, International Association of Exhibitions and Events, the organization is aware of the significance of screening the international visitors who come to the US. Ensuring the security at the borders is of most importance and cannot be let off at the cost of an open economy catering to more business.

The officials from the IAEE are also planning to submit the findings from the report to many federal agencies which include the State, Homeland Security as well as Commerce departments.

The survey was conducted by Oxford Economics on an exhibition based in the US which had organizers from major events in 2010. These catered to about 47 major events. They represented about 1.3 people to be attending. More so, 2.5 percent of these prospective visitors do not attend these events due to the visa problems.

The above caters to a loss of about 116,000 visitors catering to about 78,400 people to attend and another 37,900 prospective exhibitors. This makes it for sales lost of about $2.4 billion. This also involves business to business trade of about $1.5 billion. Another $540 million are lost in registration fee with an additional of $295 million lost out in visitor spending.