Gene therapy has evolved into a clinically viable strategy, with several approved products demonstrating its therapeutic potential for genetic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases, and it has ample applications in regenerative medicine. Its success depends on the ability to efficiently and specifically deliver therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) into target cells. Although viral or chemical carriers have been used in pioneering applications, safety concerns, and variable delivery efficiencies have prompted the search for alternative delivery vehicles. Light-mediated strategies have gained particular interest due to their biocompatibility and ability to improve the intracellular delivery efficiency. In this review, we focus on recent advancements in the development of light-triggered NA delivery carriers and discuss how they can be designed to overcome specific intracellular barriers. Additionally, we discuss notable therapeutic applications and highlight challenges and opportunities for translating this technology to a clinical setting.