Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate multiple cell processes during cancer progression. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignancy with a poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of miR-630 in RCC progression. Material and methods: Expression of miR-630 was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in four renal cancer cell lines (786-O, ACHN, Caki-1, and Caki-2) and one normal human proximal tubule epithelial cell line (HK-2). Next, miR-630 inhibitor was used to inhibit miR-630 expression in 786-O cells. Finally, its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated. Results: The expression level of miR-630 was higher in renal cancer cell lines 786-O, ACHN, Caki-1, and Caki-2 than that in the normal renal cell line HK-2 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, migration assay and invasion assay were performed, and the results showed that down-regulation of miR-630 expression by miR-630 inhibitor significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which meanwhile induced cell apoptosis of the renal cancer cell line 786-O. Conclusions: This is the first time that miR-630 expression has been shown to be associated with renal cancer progression, and down-regulation of miR-630 can inhibit tumor progression, which provides a potential therapeutic target for renal cancer treatment.