Single crystal of 2-amino 6-methylpyridinium salicylate (2A6MPS) was grown for the first time by the slow evaporation method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was employed to estimate the cell parameters of the grown crystal. The third order nonlinear optical properties of 2A6MPS was studied by the Z-scan technique using 532 nm diode pumped CW Nd:YAG laser. Nonlinear refractive index, nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear susceptibility of the grown crystal were found to be 10−8 cm2/W, 10−4 cm/W and 10−6 esu, respectively. Thermal stability of 2A6MPS was studied by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The optical transmittance window and the lower cut-off wavelength of 2A6MPS were identified by UV–Vis–NIR studies. From the dielectric measurements, the relative dielectric permittivities ε11 and ε33 values were determined. © 2016, The Optical Society of India.