The United Kingdom has announced stricter visa rules aimed at reducing migration.

UK says it would raise the minimum salary threshold for a skilled worker visa and prevent overseas health and social care staff from bringing family dependents to Britain, that is, their partners and children.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office trumpeted the proposals as “the biggest clampdown on legal migration ever”.

The current salary requirement is set at £26,000, but the new threshold will be increased to £38,700.

It is implied that if a UK citizen marries a non-UK citizen, their new spouse will not be allowed to move to the UK until they earn £38,700.

Interior minister James Cleverly said his plan would result in 300,000 fewer people coming to the UK in the coming years.

He added that skilled foreign workers wanting a UK visa would have to earn £38,700 ($48,860), up from £26,200 and in line with the median full-time wage.

However, critics said it would harm the National Health Service (NHS), which is operated by the state and is experiencing a staffing shortage.