CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP                                   111 WEST MONROE STREET
                                                        CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603


                                January 28, 2016


Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.

 Washington, DC 20549

      Re:            First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII
              ---------------------------------------------------

 Ladies and Gentlemen:

      On behalf of First Trust Exchange-Traded Fund VII (the "Registrant"), we
are transmitting for electronic filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 and under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant's
registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Amendment"). The Amendment relates to
First Trust Alternative Absolute Return Strategy ETF, a series of the
Registrant. This Amendment is being filed pursuant to Rule 485(a) of the 1933
Act.

      If we may cooperate with you in any way in the processing of this
registration statement, please telephone the undersigned at (312) 845-3484.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LLP


                                               By: /s/ Morrison C. Warren
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                       Morrison C. Warren

Enclosures