dcoded, you need to reveal what country you are talking about in case there are local rules regarding your query. Also, which phase of flight are you asking about? STAR or final approach?
In the UK, most if not all STAR's finish at a holding fix and do not include the approach phase of flight, that is a separate document. If a controller wants an aircraft to comply with a particular restriction then they have to give the clearance in full and iterate the restriction, and in subsequent transmissions reiterate the restriction if further level clearances are given or navigational instructions that clear the aircraft beyond the restriction point.