MicroRNAs (miRNAs) that negatively regulate gene expression play a key role in the development and progression of cancer. Aberrant expression of hsa-MIR-187 (MIR-187) has been reported in various malignancies. However, the function of MIR-187 in tumor progression remains controversial and its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poorly understood. In the present study, the role of MIR-187 in the progression of NSCLC was investigated. Our results revealed that MIR-187 was frequently upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Furthermore, ectopic introduction of MIR-187 promoted cell migration, whereas MIR-187 inhibitor had the contrary effect in NSCLC cells. Of significance, MIR-187 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays a pivotal role in the initiation of metastasis and activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways. Polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF) was identified as a direct target of MIR-187 in the promotion of the migration of NSCLC cells. Restored expression of PTRF neutralized the promoting effect of MIR-187 on cell migration and EMT of NSCLC cells. Collectively, our data highlight the pivotal role of MIR-187 in the progression of NSCLC, indicating this factor as a potential candidate in molecular cancer therapy.