Headed by the Assistant Chief of Protocol for Visits, this division plans, arranges and executes detailed programs for visiting Chiefs of State and Heads of Government. Often the first hand extended to a visiting foreign leader upon arrival in the United States and the last before departure, visit officers work on the front lines of diplomacy and play a significant role in creating the framework for foreign relations.
Visit officers take a lead role in the logistical planning of everything from bilateral meetings with the President, First Lady, Vice President and the Secretary of State, to Official and State visits and large scale international meetings and summits.
In advance of a visit, the protocol officer will work with the visiting leader’s embassy staff to create a detailed schedule from beginning to end. Working with the embassy, the visit officer will lay the blueprint for a successful visit by ensuring all logical considerations are arranged and all cultural and traditional customs are met.
In addition, visits offices will assist and accompany Presidential Delegations and their events while traveling abroad. The division also handles foreign press arrangements between the Department of State, the White House and foreign dignitaries.
