"Knowledgeable, diligent, honest, responsive, accurate and hard
working are only among a few of the characteristics describing
the professionals at the Hong Kong Visa Centre." Babak Akhlaghi, General Legal Counsel. National Panasonic Corporation of Japan
“I cannot recommend Stephen Barnes and the Hong Kong Visa Centre highly enough.” Daniel White, Psychologist. Hong Kong
"Having dealt with other immigration providers in South East Asia you're leagues ahead of the rest in all attributes needed to run a successful visa company; they could learn much from you." Neil Jolly, Managing Director. Classic Equine Ltd
"How I wish I could go back to those other ‘experts’ and tell them how fast I was able to get my visa with the Hong Kong Visa Centre." Richelle Oblena, Director, Phoenix Alliance Ltd
"I want to express my gratitude to you and your team, not only for your professionalism but for your kindness and personal attention." Gustavo Cavaliere, Managing Director, Blue Dragonfly Corp
"I would definitely recommend your services to my friends." Hari Iyer, Managing Director, IBS Consultants Ltd
"There are many ideas of who can and can't get a visa and you dispelled these urban myths and worked tirelessly to help me get mine." Alice McKay, Managing Director, Golden Path Education Ltd
"Seeking the assistance of the Hong Kong Visa Centre was the best & wisest decision I made for securing my investment visa." Sharon, Director, Common Connections Ltd
"The provision of your customer service and support was prompt and first class all the way." Neil Jolly, Managing Director, Classic Equine Ltd
"The Professionalism, knowledge and dedication of Stephen and the Hong Kong Visa Centre cannot be rated highly enough." Steven Peer, CEO, Phottix HK Ltd
"I recommend the Hong Kong Visa Centre to anyone looking to apply for a Visa in Hong Kong." Peter Gardner, England
"Stephen was perhaps the most professional person I have worked with, ever." Josh Steimle, MWI, Hong Kong
“Words aren't sufficient to describe how good you and your team are.” Y Ariel, Managing Director, bennu-solar Hong Kong
“I cannot think how the process could have been improved - impeccable.” Stephen Mansfield, Managing Director, Reflexion Research Ltd
“This is an experienced firm capable of handling diverse situations as well as delivering results.” Ethel Torres, USA
“There is no way I could have done this on my own!” DC, Hong Kong
“I've been impressed by your knowledge!” Carole Atkin, Hong Kong
“We recommend you to anyone who wants a quick answer on Hong Kong visas” Carole Atkin, Hong Kong
"Knowledgeable, diligent, honest, responsive, accurate and hard
working are only among a few of the characteristics describing
the professionals at the Hong Kong Visa Centre." Babak Akhlaghi, General Legal Counsel. National Panasonic Corporation of Japan
“I cannot recommend Stephen Barnes and the Hong Kong Visa Centre highly enough.” Daniel White, Psychologist. Hong Kong
"Having dealt with other immigration providers in South East Asia you're leagues ahead of the rest in all attributes needed to run a successful visa company; they could learn much from you." Neil Jolly, Managing Director. Classic Equine Ltd
"How I wish I could go back to those other ‘experts’ and tell them how fast I was able to get my visa with the Hong Kong Visa Centre." Richelle Oblena, Director, Phoenix Alliance Ltd
"I want to express my gratitude to you and your team, not only for your professionalism but for your kindness and personal attention." Gustavo Cavaliere, Managing Director, Blue Dragonfly Corp
"I would definitely recommend your services to my friends." Hari Iyer, Managing Director, IBS Consultants Ltd
"There are many ideas of who can and can't get a visa and you dispelled these urban myths and worked tirelessly to help me get mine." Alice McKay, Managing Director, Golden Path Education Ltd
"Seeking the assistance of the Hong Kong Visa Centre was the best & wisest decision I made for securing my investment visa." Sharon, Director, Common Connections Ltd
"The provision of your customer service and support was prompt and first class all the way." Neil Jolly, Managing Director, Classic Equine Ltd
"The Professionalism, knowledge and dedication of Stephen and the Hong Kong Visa Centre cannot be rated highly enough." Steven Peer, CEO, Phottix HK Ltd
"I recommend the Hong Kong Visa Centre to anyone looking to apply for a Visa in Hong Kong." Peter Gardner, England
"Stephen was perhaps the most professional person I have worked with, ever." Josh Steimle, MWI, Hong Kong
“Words aren't sufficient to describe how good you and your team are.” Y Ariel, Managing Director, bennu-solar Hong Kong
“I cannot think how the process could have been improved - impeccable.” Stephen Mansfield, Managing Director, Reflexion Research Ltd
“This is an experienced firm capable of handling diverse situations as well as delivering results.” Ethel Torres, USA
“There is no way I could have done this on my own!” DC, Hong Kong
“I've been impressed by your knowledge!” Carole Atkin, Hong Kong
“We recommend you to anyone who wants a quick answer on Hong Kong visas” Carole Atkin, Hong Kong
Visa Geeza At Home In Mandurah Western Australia This video showcases my hometown of Mandurah in Western Australia – 2016 / 2017. Visa Geeza at home in in Mandurah, WA! I’m sure you’ll agree with me, it’s the world’s best-kept secret! More about Mandurah below courtesy of chatGPT: A Coastal Gem Worth Exploring Mandurah, nestled […]
Can I Hold a Second Job While in Hong Kong Working Under a Training Visa? Hong Kong training visa second job – is it possible to hold down 2 positions whilst in Hong Kong working under a training visa? QUESTION I am waiting on my training visa and am wondering: can I hold a second […]
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The Journey of the Hong Kong Visa Geeza: From Blackburn to Hong Kong At Chinese New Year 2018 I went back to Blackburn, Lancashire the town of my birth in northern England. Updated September 2023 Childhood Memories in Blackburn Hong Kong Visa Geeza? After many years away, I returned to my hometown of Blackburn, Lancashire, […]
Hong Kong Visa Geeza & How I F#ckedUp Video and openAi update on the back story of the Hong Kong Visa Geeza. On March 2, 2017 I was asked by Campfire in Kennedy Town to contribute to their F#CKUP NIGHT series and invited to share my tale of business woe and commercial misfortunes which befell […]
The Hong Kong Visa Geeza Tale Of Woe In The Lost Decade 2000-2010
Video Presentation
On March 2, 2017 I was asked by Campfire in Kennedy Town to contribute to theirF#CKUP NIGHT series and invited to share my tale of business woe and commercial misfortunes which befell me between 2000 and 2010… Hong Kong Visa Geeza – How I F#cked Up– this is that 19-minute presentation.
Stephen Barnes: aka Hong Kong Visa Geeza
For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Stephen Barnes, but you might know me better as the Hong Kong Visa Geeza. I’ve been navigating the labyrinthine corridors of Hong Kong immigration for a solid 30 years. That’s right, I’ve been in this bustling metropolis for more than three decades, and all I know professionally is how to get you that coveted Hong Kong visa.
But today, I’ve got a tale of woe and wisdom to share—a story that’s been the bedrock of my recent successes. So grab a cuppa, and let’s dive in, shall we?
A Late Bloomer Finds His Way
I was a late bloomer, you could say. Left school at 15 in England, strapped on a backpack at 17, and set off to see the world. By 27, I was living in Hong Kong, married, and prepping for law school. Graduated in ’93, and boy, did I think I was Superman. I was soon at the helm of a business that gave me a taste of success. And how did I achieve it? Two pivotal decisions:
1. Niche Down: I started as a general legal consultant, but soon realized I was just a discounted alternative to a solicitor. So, I chucked all that to focus solely on Hong Kong immigration.
2. Wrote the Book: In ’96, when HSBC was still fiddling with dial-up, I published a book on Hong Kong immigration. For free. Online. That, my friends, was the making of me.
When the Tsunami Hit
But then, the years between 2000 and 2010 were a rollercoaster of epic proportions. I was involved in three deals that, let’s just say, didn’t go as planned.
2. Global Immigration Practice: Merged my Hong Kong practice into a global one. But then, I was slowly edged out of key decisions. Ended up in litigation, and let’s just say, it was a walk in the woods I’d rather forget.
3. Orla: A tech venture that consumed $1.5 million and seven years of my life. Just when we were turning revenues, the Global Financial Crisis hit.
Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks
So what did I learn from these misadventures?
Don’t Undervalue Yourself:Know your worth and don’t let anyone roll over you. This is crucial, folks. If you don’t value yourself, no one else will.
Choose Your Partners Wisely: Loyalty is good, but blind loyalty is a one-way ticket to disaster. I learned this the hard way. Choose partners who share your vision and values.
Behavioural Economics:If your business model requires people to change their behaviour, you’re on a hiding to nothing. People are creatures of habit. Don’t expect them to change overnight for your brilliant idea.
Stick to Your Knitting: I’ve only ever made money in Hong Kong immigration. So that’s where I’ve decided to stay. If you’re good at something, stick with it. Become the best in that field, and success will follow.
The Blueprint for Success
So, what’s the secret sauce now? Simple. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Design your products around their needs, not your whims. Be generous. Command attention. And most importantly, offer peace of mind. That’s what people are really buying when they come to us for a visa. In the words of Henry Ford, “Failure is an opportunity to begin again, only more intelligently.” So, if you’re starting from scratch, go on the internet, read up, and apply modern forces to build something new, interesting, and remarkable.
My Intellectual Heroes
Seth Godin, Kevin Kelly, Don Tapscott, and Charlie Munger—these are the intellectual giants who’ve shaped my thinking. They’ve taught me that if you want to be successful, you have to be remarkable. You have to create something that people will talk about, something that will capture their attention in this age of endless distractions.
The Business Model
We offer a serious money-back guarantee. Why? Because we’re the only ones who can truly assess the risk in the visa application process. If we’re confident enough to take your case, then we should be confident enough to guarantee it. It’s all about creating a seamless, frictionless experience for the customer.
Idea Virus
Seth Godin speaks of the importance of an idea virus to underpin your business model. Hence the Hong Kong Visa Geeza was born.
So, the upshot of all these trials and tribulations is that you don’t need capital to start anew. What you need is education and the ability to think critically. The internet is a treasure trove of information. Use it. Learn from it. And apply it to build something new, interesting, and remarkable. And that, my friends, is the Hong Kong Visa Geeza’s tale of trials, tribulations, and triumphs.