The Nauru government says its new deal with Australia on asylum seekers will not lead to refugees living permanently in the island.
Nauru has operated a detention camp for Australia's asylum seekers for nearly a year but at the weekend the leaders of both countries announced an extension to allow people to stay once they obtain refugee status.
The Nauru opposition has been highly critical of the move, saying the country already has a raft of issues it is struggling with.
But a spokesperson for the Nauru government, Joanna Olsson, says the refugees would only be on the island for a limited time.
She says they intend to cater for unaccompanied minors and families.
"They will stay with us for a long time. I don't know what the duration is. They haven't given a time frame but they will reside here until they can be moved on off - their processing has finished. They won't be entitled to permanent residency or Nauruan citizenship."
A spokesperson for the Nauru government, Joanna Olsson.
Meanwhile, the Australia government insists asylum seekers will eventually be settled on Nauru.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke insists there will be a limited number of people who will be settled on Nauru.
He told ABC radio it can't be a massive a number as Nauru is small country.
