It is the latest development in the implementation of an agreement the government hopes will deter people from making the dangerous and illegal journey over the English Channel.
There is no suggestion from either the French or British governments that the plan will, on its own, smash the cross-channel trade.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also seeking to dismantle criminal smuggling networks behind the crossings that the Home Office say “profit from human misery”.
However, the pilot has faced criticism from political opponents and rights groups.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has previously said the government’s deal with the French would be less effective than the Rwanda plan proposed by the previous Tory government, and would offer “no deterrent effect whatsoever”.
The numbers returned so far were “pathetic”, he added.
The charity Asylum Matters, meanwhile, has argued that “the only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary”.
The “one in, one out” scheme was announced in July.
Under the treaty, France agreed to take back migrants who had travelled to the UK by small boat and had their asylum claim withdrawn or declared inadmissible.
For each person returned to France, the UK will accept someone with a case for protection as a refugee who has not attempted to cross the Channel.
While this removal has been delayed, the government has been successful in sending four others to France who had arrived in the UK on a small boat.
Last week, an Indian national was the first person to be removed from the UK, followed days later by another Eritrean man, despite a legal bid to delay his departure.
Last Friday, Home Office sources said an Iranian male had also been returned to France, and on Monday the department said an Afghan person had been returned earlier that day.
