Environmentally friendly quantum dots (QDs) with high two-photon absorption coefficients in the near-infrared region are important for nonlinear optics (NLO) applications. In this work, CuLaSe2 and ZnCuLaSe2 QD are successfully synthesized and characterized using UV–Vis, Photoluminescence and HRTEM analysis. Next, the third-order NLO properties of these materials are studied using the femtosecond Z-scan method. The samples showed efficient nonlinear responses. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), the nonlinear refractive index (n2) and the third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ(3)) values for all samples are deduced and discussed in detail. The results reported here pave the way towards building CuLaSe2 and ZnCuLaSe2 QDs-based nonlinear photoelectric devices operating in the near-infrared field.