Both pilots heard ATC clear them for a visual approach. When descending ATC questioned them about th...

Narrative:

We were descending to 9;000 feet on ATC clearance approximately 15 miles from [airport] we were switched from ARTCC to [airport] approach. Approach acknowledged check-in and said 'cleared for visual approach to runway xx' at [airport]. Clearance was read back and we pilots discussed for a moment and asked for confirmation that we were cleared for the visual to runway xx. ATC confirmed we were cleared for the visual. We continued to descend and at 8;200 feet and approach asked if we were cleared to 9;000 feet. We responded that we were descending due to the clearance for the visual approach to runway xx. ATC responded that we were cleared to 9;000 feet and to 'expect' the visual. ATC then said to continue descent to 4;000 feet.the captain and I both heard cleared the visual to runway xx rather than 'expect visual to xx.' the visual approach was conducted and the airplane landed safely at [airport]. Controller sounded bored and tired.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Both pilots heard ATC clear them for a Visual Approach. When descending ATC questioned them about the descent clearance. The pilot informed ATC that they had been cleared for a Visual Approach. ATC then assigned the flight an altitude and later re-cleared it for a Visual Approach.

Narrative: We were descending to 9;000 feet on ATC clearance approximately 15 miles from [airport] we were switched from ARTCC to [airport] Approach. Approach acknowledged check-in and said 'cleared for visual approach to Runway XX' at [airport]. Clearance was read back and we Pilots discussed for a moment and asked for confirmation that we were cleared for the visual to Runway XX. ATC confirmed we were cleared for the visual. We continued to descend and at 8;200 feet and Approach asked if we were cleared to 9;000 feet. We responded that we were descending due to the clearance for the visual approach to Runway XX. ATC responded that we were cleared to 9;000 feet and to 'expect' the visual. ATC then said to continue descent to 4;000 feet.The Captain and I both heard cleared the visual to Runway XX rather than 'expect visual to XX.' The visual approach was conducted and the airplane landed safely at [airport]. Controller sounded bored and tired.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1291614
Time
Date	201508
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 218 Flight Crew Type 250
Person 2
Function	Captain
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 125
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance

Both pilots heard ATC clear them for a visual approach. When descending ATC questioned them about the descent clearance. The pilot informed ATC that they had been cleared for a visual approach. ATC then assigned the flight an altitude and later re-cleared it for a visual approach.