Photo-responsive nano-carriers for gene can realize the release of gene at a given time and a given position by external light, and have attracted much interest as non-viral gene carriers. According to different response wavelengths, photo-responsive nano-carriers for gene can be divided into ultraviolet-visible light responsive nano-carrier for gene and near infrared light responsive nano-carrier for gene. We review the recent advances of the two nano-carriers for gene and discuss the responsive mechanisms and release processes. At last, we summarize the problems to be solved in the construction progress of photo-responsive nano-carriers for gene.