A novel nanostructure photocatalytic material was fabricated using Lanthanum doped SnSe by one-pot microwave method is reported to newest. Photocatalytic performance efficiency of pristine SnSe and Lanthanum doped SnSe nanostructures were investigated to degrade organic pollutants from wastewater. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the nanostructure were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, UV–Vis, and PL spectral studies. Nano rods/spheres for pure SnSe were altered significantly leading to higher amounts of nanorods due to La doped and increase in concertation leads higher formation of nanorods. Increased in structure and morphology played a vital role in photocatalytic activity. Nanostructure exhibits enhanced physicochemical properties and showed an excellent synergetic effect demonstrating the effect of La (1, 3, and 5%) concentrations in SnSe nanostructure. The optical energy gap has a reducing trend due to the increment of doping concentration. The individual elements oxidation states were justified from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopical studies. Thermal stability and phase changes of the nanostructure before and after doping of La were evaluated through TGA/DTA analysis. From the photocatalytic measurement rare-earth (La) doped samples expressed higher catalytic nature than the pure SnSe. It was observed that the higher atomic element La had a significant role to produce a large number of electron-hole pair recombination and defective structure in the host lattice.