Chinese Immigrants in US Turn to Chick-fil-A Wordplay for H-1B Visa Luck
Chinese students and workers in the United States associate the Chick-fil-A brand with good fortune in visa applications due to phonetic similarities in Mandarin. The practice involves displaying the company's logo on items like coasters and social media profiles. This reflects challenges in securing H-1B visas, with over 46,000 Chinese nationals approved in 2024.
thehindu.comChinese immigrants in the United States, particularly students and professionals, have adopted a superstition linking the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A to success in visa applications. The brand name 'Chick-fil-A' sounds similar to 'check files' in Mandarin, which some interpret as a positive omen for immigration paperwork.
This belief has spread within Chinese communities amid difficulties in obtaining work visas.
The H-1B visa lottery is a common work visa for skilled workers. The H-1B program operates on a lottery system and has become more competitive in recent years. Some individuals have navigated multiple visa types and incorporated Chick-fil-A into their routine for perceived luck.
The practice originated within Chinese student communities, with no known single source, and focuses on visas like the H-1B.
in this superstition create items featuring the Chick-fil-A logo, such as 3D-printed coasters, embroidered keychain pendants, and social media profile pictures.
Some modify the logo's color from red to green to symbolize a green card. Chick-fil-A did not respond to requests for comment on these activities. This wordplay aligns with broader Chinese cultural traditions emphasizing phonetic similarities for good fortune.
For instance, apples are eaten on Christmas Eve because 'pingguo' sounds like 'ping'an ye,' meaning safe and sound. The number four is avoided due to its resemblance to the word for death in Mandarin.
The visa process highlights obstacles for immigrants, even those with advanced education and high-skilled jobs. Some individuals rely on such practices due to the lottery's reliance on chance.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2024
More than 46,000 Chinese nationals approved for H-1B visas.
1 sourceFortune - Recent weekend
Audience at Chinese comedy show in northern Virginia cheers for Chick-fil-A.
1 sourceFortune - 14 years ago
Zhou Yilu arrives in US as student and begins visa navigation.
1 sourceFortune
Potential Impact
- 01
Heightened awareness of H-1B lottery challenges for skilled workers.
- 02
Chick-fil-A gains informal brand recognition in Chinese US communities.
- 03
Increased demand for temple prayer services among Chinese visa applicants.
- 04
Cultural wordplay practices may spread to other immigrant communities.
Transparency Panel
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