Wiktionary
n. A formal visit by a head of state or a cabinet minister to another nation.
Wikipedia
A state visit is a formal visit by a head of state to a foreign country, at the invitation of that country's head of state, with the latter also acting as the official host for the duration of the state visit. Speaking for the host, it is generally called a state reception. State visits are considered to be the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between two sovereign states, and are in general characterised by an emphasis on official public ceremonies.
Less formal visits than a state visit to another country with a lesser emphasis on ceremonial events, by either a head of state or a head of government, can be classified (in descending order of magnitude) as either an official visit, a working visit, or a private visit.
In parliamentary democracies, while heads of state in such systems of government may formally issue and accept invitations, they do so on the advice of their heads of government, who usually decides on when the invitation is to be issued or accepted in advance.
While there is one person who acts as monarch of each of the Commonwealth realms, in practice, this individual usually performs full state visits as king or queen of the United Kingdom, while the relevant governor-general undertakes state visits for his or her respective country on the sovereign's behalf. The monarch has made some state and official visits representing another of his or her realms.
Usage examples of "state visit".
Omi was to base himself in Mishima for the time being, to guard that section of the Tokaido Road, and to prepare palanquins and horses in sufficient quantity for Toranaga and the considerable entourage that was necessary to a formal state visit.
And so when the Emperor arrived for his state visit he took the opportunity to take his entourage out on a large sail barge to view the great portrait to commemorate him.
Road, and to prepare palanquins and horses in sufficient quantity for Toranaga and the considerable entourage that was necessary to a formal state visit.
Look how enthusiastically most Graysons seem to be responding to the announcement of the Queen's state visit!
Allowing a week or so for travel time, you must have set some sort of galactic record for arranging this 'state visit' of yours!
And we find this state visit of Queen Elizabeth's most suspicious.
Cain noticed that Poseda frowned and shook his shoulders when Kayburn requested Bramo to come on board and pay a state visit of inspection.
On that day, bedridden from a recent operation, she heard the news on the radio that agents of the Croatian Ustashe had murdered the head of the Serbian royal house, King Alexander I Karageorgevitch, after he had arrived in Marseille for a state visit.