The invention provides a device and a method for detecting the sanding critical flow velocity of a gas well. The device consists of an axial compression system, a gas supply system, a simulation system, a measuring and acquiring system and a sand processing system. The method comprises the following steps of: providing different supply pressure for the simulation system simulating the production state of the gas well by using the gas supply system; measuring parameters such as inlet pressure, outlet pressure, gas flow rate, sand production volume after a certain experimental time and the like to obtain the sanding critical flow rate through a test result; and combining the sanding critical flow rate with the rock core size to solve the sanding critical flow velocity. Thus, the technology for determining the sanding critical flow velocity of the gas well on site is provided. By adopting the device and the method of the invention, as the experimental conditions are similar to the geological conditions of gas pools, the problem of detecting the sanding critical flow velocity under the condition of open hole completion of the gas well is solved accurately, conveniently and economically, and an experimental evidence is provided for directing on-site production of the gas pools.