The invention provides a catalyst used for preparing methyl glycolate and a preparation method and application thereof. The catalyst comprises a main catalyst body, an auxiliary catalyst body and a carrier, by weight, the main catalyst body comprises, 1-20 parts of bismuth oxide, 1-10 parts of stannic oxide and 2-10 parts of antimony oxide, and the auxiliary catalyst body comprises 1-5 parts of chromic oxide and 1-2 parts of neodymium oxide. Meanwhile, the invention discloses a preparation method of the catalyst and application of the catalyst to preparation of methyl glycolate through selective addition of hydrogen into dimethyl oxalate. When the catalyst is used for preparing methyl glycolate, the production cost is lowered, environmental protection is realized, the conversion rate of raw materials is high, and product selectivity is high.