New interim visas for migrants, employers and foreign students come into effect from Monday.
Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman says there had been issues with people having their immigration status lapse while waiting for visas to be processed.
The interim visas will allow people to remain in New Zealand on the terms of their original visas while the applications are processed.
Dr Coleman says this provides certainty for those involved and their employers.
The interim visas are part of the new Immigration Act, which came into effect in November last year.
