Bi 2 YVO 8 was prepared by solid-state reaction for the first time. The structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi 2 YVO 8 were studied. The results showed that this compound has the tetragonal crystal system with space group I4/mmm. The band gap of Bi 2 YVO 8 was estimated to be about 2.09eV by plotting (αhν) 2 versus hν and obtaining the hν axis intercept value according to Tauc's equation. For the photocatalytic water splitting reaction, H 2 or O 2 evolution was observed from pure water with Bi 2 YVO 8 as the photocatalyst under ultraviolet light irradiation (wavelength=390nm). Degradation of aqueous methylene blue photocatalyzed by this compound was investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi 2 YVO 8 showed higher photocatalytic activity compared to Bi 2 YTaO 7 , Bi 2 InTaO 7 or TiO 2 (P-25). Complete removal of aqueous methylene blue was achieved after visible light irradiation for 170min. The decrease of the total organic carbon and the formation of inorganic products such as SO 4 2− and NO 3 − revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous methylene blue during photocatalytic reaction.