•Bi2O2S nanosheets prove to be a highly efficient visible-light photocatalyst.•Bi2O2S nanosheets demonstrate remarkable photocatalytic degradation of organic dye.•Bi2O2S nanosheets hold great potential for remedying water sources and effluents. Herein, we introduce the first investigation into the photocatalytic properties of ultrathin Bi2O2S nanosheets prepared by a hydrothermal method. These nanosheets demonstrate exceptional efficiency in degrading congo red (CR) and rose bengal (RB) when exposed to visible light. The degradation rates reached approximately 82 % for CR and 80 % for RB, respectively. The rate constants for CR and RB degradation were found to be 1.8 × 10-2 min−1 and 1.3 × 10-2 min−1, respectively, during a 75 and 150-minute exposure to Bi2O2S nanosheets.