Explained: State vs Official Visit

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi. [Standard,file]

This visit marks the first time an Iranian president has visited Kenya in over a decade, to foster closer ties between the two nations.

The state visit is the highest form of diplomatic exchange between two countries.

In many countries, it is only reserved for close friends and allies.

What is a state visit?

A state visit is a solemn ritualistic or formal visit by a Head of State not the government to a foreign country, at the invitation of the host president.

In the case of Commonwealth countries like Canada and Britain whose head of state is King Charles III of England, other leaders can only be accorded an official visit because they are heads of governments.

A state visit to any country is a coveted and unique honour meaning a head of state cannot engage in a state visit if he/she has not been invited. This is a very specific type of visit that focuses on bilateral relations.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the State Reception Ceremony for the Zimbabwe Head of State at State House, Nairobi. [PCS]

This is followed by an official welcome to State House and signing of official guest book before a bilateral meeting followed by a joint press conference.

In a state visit, the visiting head of state is usually accompanied by a small team of between eight to 10 people as part of an official delegation.

Worth noting also is the fact that in such a case, the host country shoulders all the expenses of the visiting delegation for the entire period of visitation.

The visit culminates with the conferment of decorations and exchange of symbolic gifts, sometimes an address by the visiting head of state to the parliament of the host country as well as visits to various national memorials and the inclusion of cultural activities.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the visiting President of the Republic of Hungary Janos Ader witness the signing of four bilateral agreements for cooperation at State House in Nairobi on January 17, 2022. [PCS]

Before such a visit happens, all Memorandum of Understandings are discussed and set as agreed upon by the two sides.

Official Visit

As earlier on stated, an official visit ranges from a head of state to other top government officials like Cabinet Secretaries.

The visiting official tags a long a delegation of up to six officials at the discretion of the host country they can be treated to a luncheon or dinner but in most cases it is not a requirement.

Like a state visit, the host country shoulders the costs for the visit. If the vising delegation includes a head of state, then the host country might choose to extend some honors.

Working visit

With regards to a work visit, the host country receives a visiting delegation to specifically discuss issues concerning their two countries. In this case, no invitation is needed as the visiting delegation shoulders their own cost.