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

The popular fast-food chain is seen as a lucky charm for those applying for U.S. work visas.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:18am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn an everyday consumer item into modern pop art, conceptually representing the superstitious practices of Chinese immigrants seeking U.S. work visas.The Chick-fil-A logo has become a good luck charm for Chinese visa-seekers, who believe the chain's name sounds auspicious in their culture.Arlington Today

Chinese students and workers in the U.S. have turned to Chick-fil-A as a good luck charm for their visa applications, particularly the competitive H-1B lottery. The belief is that 'Chick-fil-A' sounds like 'check files,' which is seen as auspicious in Chinese culture. 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 visa prospects.

Why it matters

The difficulty of obtaining U.S. work visas, especially the H-1B, has led Chinese immigrants to seek out any perceived advantage, no matter how unconventional. This reflects the challenges faced by international talent trying to legally work in the U.S., even those with strong educational and professional backgrounds. The reliance on superstitions also highlights the element of chance in the visa process.

The details

Chinese students and workers in the U.S. have turned to Chick-fil-A as a good luck charm for their visa applications, particularly the competitive H-1B lottery. The belief is that 'Chick-fil-A' sounds like 'check files,' which is seen as auspicious in Chinese culture. 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 visa prospects. This practice has become common in the Chinese immigrant community as they navigate the complex U.S. visa system.

  • The Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas a few months ago, stunning Chinese students and workers and creating a more chilling atmosphere.
  • More than 46,000 Chinese students and workers were approved for H-1B visas in 2024, accounting for 11.7% of approved applicants, the second-largest group after India.

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 over the past 14 years in the U.S.

Fan Wu

A data scientist living in Indianapolis who didn't win his 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 agent in Beijing who prays at the Lama Temple on behalf of Chinese students and workers seeking H-1B visas, holding a paper with their personal information and offering consecrated bracelets.

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, kneeling in front of almost every god in hopes of improving her visa prospects.

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, Agent who prays at temples on behalf of visa applicants

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

— Yang, Manager at new energy company

“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 difficulty of obtaining U.S. work visas, particularly the H-1B, is an ongoing challenge that may require policy changes to address.

The takeaway

The reliance on Chick-fil-A as a good luck charm for visa applications highlights the desperation and uncertainty faced by Chinese students and workers trying to legally work in the United States. This unconventional practice reflects the broader challenges of the U.S. immigration system and the need to attract and retain global talent.