Nationwide understands the first set of third-country nationals, TCNs, could arrive in the country as early as Tuesday afternoon.

It follows confirmation by the national security ministry that the government is now in a position to proceed with the programme, following a formal agreement with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, on Monday.

Portfolio Minister Dr. Horace Chang spoke on Nationwide This Morning on Tuesday.

Dr Horace Chang, Minister of National Security and Peace.

The national security ministry has noted that no third-country national with criminal antecedents will be permitted to transit through Jamaica under the programme.

According to Dr Chang, the government will work closely with Interpol to ensure proper background checks are done.

The ministry says further that the number of people anticipated will be a maximum of 25 per fortnight.

The ministry says, as previously outlined, the MOU, which governs the operation terms of the arrangement, provides for its suspension if 10 TCNs apply to remain in Jamaica through asylum applications or other humanitarian processes.