AN ATX PLT; FLYING AN SMT; DSNDED BELOW HIS ASSIGNED ALT WHILE DISTR BY COMPANY RADIO AND ALSO BECAUSE HE WAS ANTICIPATING A CLRNC FOR A VISUAL APCH.

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DURING AN IFR FILED FLT TO SLC FROM PUC; AFTER BEING HANDED TO SLC APCH IN THE PROVO AREA; I WAS FLYING AT 14000 FT; IN CONTINUOUS MODERATE TURB; VMC CONDITIONS. I REQUESTED LOWER. THE CTLR GAVE ME DSCNT CLRNC TO 13000 FT WITH VECTORS FOR RWY 34R LOC. SHORTLY AFTER MY TURN TO THE VECTOR HDG I RPTED SLC ARPT IN SIGHT AND EXPECTED TO GET A 'CLRED FOR A VISUAL....' THE CTLR GAVE ME 'DSND TO 12000 FT; EXPECT VISUAL APCH FOR RWY 35 CLOSER IN.' DURING MY DSCNT FROM 13000 FT TO 12000 FT; I CONTACTED UNICOM AND ARRANGED TRANSPORTATION FOR MY PAX TO GET TO THE AIRLINE SIDE OF THE ARPT. I DSNDED TO 11600 FT BEFORE REALIZING THE CTLR DID NOT GIVE ME A 'CLRED FOR THE VISUAL;' BUT INSTEAD GAVE ME 'DSND TO 12000 FT.' I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED BACK TO 12000 FT AND ASKED FOR LOWER AGAIN. THE REST OF THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL. I FEEL THE SIT OCCURRED BECAUSE I WAS EXPECTING THE CTLR TO GIVE ME 'CLRED FOR THE VISUAL;' AND NOT AN ALT RESTR. IN ADDITION; AT THIS PHASE OF THE FLT I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ARRANGING TRANSPORTATION FOR MY PAX. TURB PLAYED A SMALL ROLE IN THIS SIT.