Close to 200 refugees on Manus Island and Nauru have been accepted for resettlement in the United States in a significant progression of the deal struck by Malcolm Turnbull and former US President Barack Obama.

Fairfax Media understands about 130 people on Nauru, including families, and about 60 men on Manus Island, have received final approval to go to the US. Refugee advocates expect the refugees to fly out in January.

Refugees on Manus Island were engaged in a protest at the old detention centre last month. About 60 men have been approved to go the the US in January. Credit:Refugee Action Coalition

They would be the first refugees to leave Manus Island and Nauru for the US since an initial group of 54 flew out in late September.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul, who maintains direct contact with people on both islands, said it was "pretty clear there'll be about 130 on Nauru" who will be accepted in this round. However, they would need to undergo a second round of medical checks because the previous ones had expired, he said.