A one-step calcination method was designed to synthesize Fe-doped surface-alkalinized graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). Results of transmission electronmicroscope (TEM) and elemental mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the Fe species might exist between layers in g-C3N4 . From the photoluminescence (PL) and transient photocurrent response results, doping trace amounts of Fe could accelerate the separation of photo-generated carriers, and further increase the generation of active species. Among various photocatalysts, the composite (0.05 wt% Fe) exerts maximum photocatalytic performance in the degradation of tetracycline (TC) under visible-light irradiation. A very low Fe species content of 0.05% resulted in a 3 fold higher reaction rate than that of bulk g-C3N4. In addition, the as-synthesized materials exhibited efficient and stable visible light driven photodegradation activity in degradation of TC, which could be used as a candidate for application eliminating antibiotics in the environment.