Cessna Citation Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 7800; Flight Crew Type 180
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
During the descent and arrival phase of our flight; the crew of Aircraft X was given routing; via vectors from our present position to descend to FL200 cross 25 miles north of ZZZ VOR. This resulted with approximately a 6;000 foot per minute descent rate which was rather steep from about FL360. This began a series of vector and altitude changes. We advised with current ATIS information and were told to expect the visual.Approach cleared us to 12;000 feet then retracted and restated descend and maintain 13;000 feet. We were then reissued the descent to 12;000 feet from one frequency to the next transmitting on [frequency].We were told to descend 10;000 feet; 'Change to frequency. Advise on the switch with your heading.'Conversation between pilot and copilot: We are already on frequency. We heard contact Tower. Due to being within 25 miles of the ZZZ airport this seemed logical.The ILS was already queued up and intercepting. Aircraft X: Tower; Aircraft X with you heading 165 degrees. Tower: Aircraft X; how far out are you? Aircraft X: Approximately 25 miles on a ILS interception. Tower: Aircraft X; standby. Tower: Aircraft X; do you have the airport in sight. Aircraft X: Yes; airport is in sight. Tower: Delete altitude restrictions; cleared for the visual approach; advise a 3 mile final. Aircraft X: We'll call a 3 mile final. Aircraft X: Reporting 3 miles Runway XX. Tower: Cleared to land Runway XX. Aircraft 1: Cleared to land Runway XX.Flight taxied to park and completed uneventfully.The take away from this situation is when things don't seem right or processing correctly ask questions and don't assume anything. Always get clarification.
Cessna Citation reported being confused by ATC frequency change and instructions; resulting in a clearance deviation.