Last updated on November 24, 2025
Writing an expert opinion letter in response to a Request for Evidence (RFE) requires specific, clarity & attention to addressing special issues noted in the RFE. An expert opinion letter shows a credible, DETAILED & official explanation of the applicant’s qualifications or eligibility. RFEs usually happen in immigration or legal cases where a legal agency has decided additional proof is required to explain or support a claim.
While RFEs can be intimidating, well-written expert opinion letters can be useful when they are sufficiently detailed, accurate & properly documented. Below is a thorough guideline for writing a strong expert opinion letter for an RFE response!!!
1. Choose the Right Expert
The authenticity of an expert opinion letter greatly depends on the qualifications of the expert selected. Choose an expert with experience in the suitable field. For example, if the RFE connects to a technical qualification you should select an expert with advanced degrees, publications or an important amount of work experience in that area.
The expert should be genuinely independent & completely free of conflicts of interest so as to be fair in their opinion. Experts can be academics, professionals or industry leaders. In any case someone is an expert who has credentials that demonstrate they have expert knowledge.
The expert should also summarize their credentials at the beginning of the letter, explaining why they are qualified to comment on the applicant’s case. Including a copy of the expert’s resume or CV is helpful & a good view to highlight their credentials as well.
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2. Logical Structure the Letter
A structured expert opinion letter is important for maximum impact. Below is a typical structure –
Introduction
Briefly introduce the expert expert & qualifications, so that you bring credibility to your letter from the start.
Statement of Purpose
Clearly state the purpose of the letter if it is to respond to the RFE or address specific concerns.
Detailed Analysis
This section provides a more detailed analysis of each of the concerns raised in the RFE.
Conclusion
Summarize the report in a clear statement that supports the applicant’s case.
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3. Highlight Each Point in the RFE
RFEs usually identify concerns that are raised & it is important to address those concerns fully. There is a specific process to create an expert opinion letter. If the RFE mentions if the applicant has specialized knowledge, the expert should provide thorough evidence that indicates the applicant has the particular knowledge.
Mentioning the RFE language will help clarify to the credibility reviewer that the expert is directly addressing their reported concerns.
For example, if the RFE is related to an immigration matter & it questions if the applicant has specialized knowledge, the expert would then provide information detailing how the applicant meets industry standards through their work experience.
4. Detail credentials of the Expert
A good expert opinion letter summarizes the expert’s credentials. The expert is able to quickly convey the degrees, certifications, years of experience & awards or publications that establish their expertise in the subject area. The more current & relevant the qualifications the stronger the opinion letter will be.
It may also be beneficial to include information on previous research, industry publications or awards to further establish the expert’s credentials. The objective of this section of the letter is to inform the reader that the opinion is based on a reliable & qualified source, accordingly it is important to clearly communicate the expert’s background to introduce confidence in the results of the analysis.
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5. Use of Evidence and Data to Support the Opinion
It is important that an expert opinion letter is well-founded. An expert should try to provide clear examples & data or use industry standards to establish their opinion. For example, if the RFE is questioning the applicant’s job duties the expert could provide examples of similar jobs or case studies to show that the applicant’s job duties are standard in the field.
It will increase the expert’s argument if they quote published sources such as industry standards, published articles or studies. If the expert has published works on the same subject, publishing their work can add authority to the letter.
6. Keep the Tone Professional and Objective
The expert opinion letter should use direct and factual language and avoid emotional words or exaggeration because they can appear unprofessional. It must read like an objective review based on the expert’s knowledge and experience, not personal opinion.
It is IMPORTANT that the expert presents straightforward facts & does not make guesses all of which contributes to a professional, credible letter. The expert should only relate what they know is the case & use logical explanations, avoiding any assumptions about the matter before them.
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7. Make it Clear and Concise
Although detail is useful, it can also be helpful to include simple explanations & clarity. Immigration officials and attorneys understand a letter better when it is clear and to the point. You may use technical language, but explain it in simple terms so readers do not get lost in the details.
Focus on addressing the RFE with relevant details & avoid elaborating with information that is not relevant. All important points should be covered, but avoid repeating them when the extra details are not necessary. Ultimately, a clear, simple & to the point letter will provide a better result than too long & unclear.
8. Include a Statement of Veracity
It is also common for a declaration of truth to be added to the end of the letter as well. This is basically a declaration by the expert that the information provided is true & accurate.
It could say something to the effect of, “I declare, under penalty of perjury, that the information herein is true & accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
9. Attach Supporting Documents
The expert is expected to include any relevant documents that support their opinion. Articles, case studies, or industry documents can also be added to strengthen the positional information in the letter. In particular, adding supporting documents improves the strength of the expert’s claim. It also provides the reviewer with more information for context about the situation.
10. Proofread Carefully
The final step is to take the time to proofread the letter. Weapons in misspelling, grammar or true errors are going to produce an unprofessional appearance with the letter. The expert should review the letter thoroughly to be sure everything is correct & clearly written.
Proofreading assures the letter is professional looking, producing a better impression upon review. Again, it is always beneficial to have someone independent review the letter. They may find additional mistakes that the expert has overlooked.
Conclusion
A strong expert opinion letter can make all the difference in your RFE response. When written by a qualified expert, clearly structured & supported with accurate evidence it helps address every concern raised by USCIS with confidence. By keeping the letter professional, factual, and well-organized, you improve your chances of a successful outcome. Attaching all necessary documents further increases the strength of your RFE response.
In short, a correctly prepared expert opinion letter turns an RFE from a setback into an opportunity to strengthen your case.
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