Free space time-frequency reference transfer is the key technology in the application such as global timing and synchronization, high-speed broadband communication, satellite formation flight, and space physical parameter monitoring. The development of optical clock technology puts forward higher requirements for the transfer accuracy of optical time-frequency reference. This paper introduces recent research progress on free space optical time-frequency reference transfer technology, especially the phase and space noise compensation methods based on optical frequency comb carried out by different research institutions, to satisfy the high precision time-frequency transfer under atmospheric turbulence. Finally, the applications using free space optical time-frequency transfer technology are summarized and prospected.