The application of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) in strengthening projects is one of the most popular fields in the studies in civil engineering. Practices and theories have testified that the technology of strengthening structures with prestressed FRP is feasible with obvious advantages. A concise state-of-the-art survey and new progress of the technology of strengthening structures with prestressed FRP are presented, including studies in terms of concrete structures strengthening with prestressed FRP, steel structures strengthening with prestressed FRP and the key problems in its practical application. Experimental studies revealed that strengthened with prestressed FRP, the cracking load, yielding load and ultimate capacity of RC beams increased obviously, behaviors of flexure members under long-term load were improved, and the fatigue life of concrete members were also increased.Strengthen steel beams with prestressed FRP, the yielding load and ultimate capacity increased obviously, with greater increase when more CFRP were used or at higher prestress level. Prestressed CFRP contributed to the rigidity of steel beam especially when strength of steel is relatively low. The key problems in practical application of the technology of strengthening with prestressed FRP include the studies on prestress applying system, prestress control value, prestress loss and end anchorage system.