Under the ICAO regulation, as here in Brazil, the operation is pretty simple and the ats is provided by the AFIS station in a 27nm radius from the airport, who will give you only weather and traffic infos. Descent is at your own discretion and if in IMC/IFR you will be allowed by the ACC to descent to the FIR minimum altitude and commence the approach procedure at the fix at this altitude. All the rest is up to you.
