Chinese Visa-Seekers Turn to Chick-fil-A for Good Luck

The popular chicken sandwich chain has become a symbol of fortune for Chinese students and workers applying for U.S. visas.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:41am

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen illustration featuring a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich repeated in a grid pattern, using bold neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday item into a modern pop art piece, conceptually representing the superstitions Chinese immigrants have embraced in their pursuit of U.S. work visas.The Chick-fil-A logo has become a symbol of good fortune for Chinese visa-seekers, who believe the chain's name sounds like 'check files' and brings luck to their complicated immigration paperwork.Arlington Today

Chinese students and workers in the U.S. have turned to Chick-fil-A as a symbol of good luck for their visa applications, particularly the competitive H-1B lottery. The belief is that 'Chick-fil-A' sounds like 'check files,' bringing fortune to those with complicated visa paperwork. Some go as far as 3D-printing the logo, embroidering it onto keychains, or setting it as their social media profile picture in hopes of improving their chances.

Why it matters

This trend highlights the difficulties Chinese immigrants face in securing work visas in the U.S., even with prestigious educational and professional backgrounds. The H-1B visa lottery system has become increasingly competitive, leading some to turn to superstitions and spiritual practices to try to improve their odds.

The details

Chinese students and workers have embraced various Chick-fil-A-related rituals in the hopes of bringing good luck to their visa applications. This includes 3D-printing the logo, embroidering it onto keychains, and setting it as social media profile pictures, sometimes converting the red logo to green to symbolize a green card. Some have also traveled to temples in the U.S. and China to pray for visa success.

  • The trend of using Chick-fil-A as a good luck charm for visa applications has been growing for years, especially as the H-1B lottery has become more competitive.
  • The Trump administration's decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas a few months ago added to the anxiety and uncertainty for Chinese students and workers.

The players

Zhou Yilu

A 38-year-old AI software engineer living in Wilmington, Delaware, who has had a roller-coaster experience with his visa status and has turned to Chick-fil-A as a good luck charm.

Fan Wu

A data scientist living in Indianapolis who didn't win the H-1B lottery despite changing his social media profile picture to Chick-fil-A's logo and traveling to Hawaii to pray at a Japanese Taoist temple.

Meng Yanqing

A 24-year-old in Beijing who offers a service to Chinese students and workers, praying at the Lama Temple on their behalf and sending them consecrated bracelets in the hopes of improving their visa chances.

Harriet Peng

A data analyst living in northern Virginia who, after losing the H-1B lottery repeatedly, went to a temple in upstate New York to pray in person for visa success.

Yang

A manager at a new energy company in his late 20s who finally changed his profile picture to the Chick-fil-A logo after months of waiting for his visa, feeling like he's 'living under someone else's roof' in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“It feels like I am one step closer to the green card after having a Chick-fil-A meal.”

— Zhou Yilu, AI software engineer

“I was forced to turn to these mysteries. The lottery itself is a matter of chance. It depends on luck, and we need another mystery to echo it.”

— Fan Wu, data scientist

“I respect them, they have their demands, and I offer the service. I truly hope the best for them.”

— Meng Yanqing, visa agent

“It feels like living under someone else's roof.”

— Yang, new energy company manager

“I knelt in front of almost every god and prayed, in case they all know each other.”

— Harriet Peng, data analyst

What’s next

Experts warn that the suspicion surrounding Chinese immigrants, especially in high-tech industries, reduces the U.S.'s ability to attract international talent. The future of the H-1B visa program and its impact on Chinese students and workers remains uncertain.

The takeaway

This story highlights the creative and desperate measures Chinese visa-seekers are taking to overcome the obstacles of the U.S. immigration system, underscoring the challenges faced by highly skilled immigrants in securing work visas despite their educational and professional qualifications.