Sweden's Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

The new proposals are also backed by the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats who keep the Moderate-led coalition in a majority through a confidence-and-supply agreement. One measure would raise the age for when the government can refuse a residence permit for a spouse or common-law partner from 18 to 21 to deter young migrant couples and prevent forced marriages.

"This corresponds to the highest age limit allowed under EU law," said Swedish Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard who claimed "a paradigm shift is now being implemented in Swedish migration policy."

The government also proposed limiting the issuance of residence permits on humanitarian grounds, which would remove the possibility of granting permits to children and certain adults in particularly distressing circumstances.