Is 'pay a visit to' more formal than 'visit'?

[PkuAdam]

Hi, Teachers,

Is 'pay a visit to' more formal than 'visit'?

I'm wirting a email to a client -- which one is better? "Our global leaders would pay a visit to you in late August" or "Our global leaders would visit you in late August"?

Thanks,
Adam

[SoothingDave]

Not a teacher.

More words is almost always more formal. "Pay a visit" is more formal than "visit."

Even better, since you are asking to be invited, say "we would like to pay a visit to you in late August."