Photon sieve is a new nano-imaging device with the advantages of high resolution, light weight, small size and easy to duplicate. It has great significance for the lightweight imaging system and imaging in very short spectral region. The research results of photon sieve are classified based on problems solved. The development status of photon sieve is introduced, including the increase of image contrast, diffraction efficiency, wide spectral imaging, and design of high numerical aperture photon sieve. The technical problems to be solved of these four aspects are analyzed. It is believed that the main directions are also these problems′ resolution. Other problems of photon sieve application are also pointed out. The applying prospects in telescope, microscope, lithography and other areas of photon sieve are addressed.