Roy Smith wrote in
:

I've always figured, "cleared visual" is just a shorthand way of
avoiding the following conversation: "Report the airport in sight",
"Field in sight", The visual approach is available if you'd like it",
"Request visual", "Cleared visual approach". It's one transmission
instead of five, and while it may not meet the letter of the law, it's
pretty unlikely to cause any confusion or harm.

What I normally hear is "Airport 12 o'clock and 10 miles, report it in
sight". When I do report the airport in sight, I get a clearance for a
visual approach. If I'm still in IMC when I receive the first
transmission, I tell approach that I am and what approach I want.
Technically, it's not legal for the controller to clear you for a visual
until you report the airport in sight. The fact that some do doesn't
legalize it, but I'm sure it still happens, likely more in some places than
others. I've never had it happen down here.

--
Regards,

Stan