The membrane based pervaporation process for sulfur removal from gasoline is a new kind of desulfurization technology, which maintains distinct advantages such as low investment and operating cost, low octane value loss, etc. The research background of pervaporation desulphurization is briefly introduced. Based on solution-diffusion model, the selection of polymer membrane materials used for desulfurization is analyzed under the guidance of solubility parameter theory. Based on the research progress of pervaporation desulfurization membranes reported in recent 20 years, the polymeric membrane materials and inorganic/organic hybrid membrane materials used for desulfurization are introduced in detail, including polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene glycol, polyimide, polyether amide, cellulose acetate, poly-phosphate nitrile, etc. The structural characteristics, modification methods and the relationship between structure and properties of membrane materials are also discussed. The desulfurization performances of different membrane materials are compared and the primary challenge for advancement of pervaporation desulfurization membrane is summarized. Finally, the prospect and research direction of pervaporation desulfurization are proposed.