Robert M. Gary wrote:



There are certain airports where the controllers say "no separation
provided" but others don't say that.


A controller will only say that when he's not providing separation, used
almost exclusively at uncontrolled fields to allow more than one
aircraft on final at the same time.





At most of the airports around
here they just say "cleared for the XYZ approach, maintain VFR". No
mention of separation at all.

The above clearance means you're getting separation. You will get 3
miles lateral or 500 feet vertical. The difference is the separation
ends at the approach end of the runway unless they approved a published
missed. A regular IFR approach gets you a continuous 3 miles until you
land.