Abstract: The nozzle to safe-end dissimilar metal weld joint is a typical structure in pressurized water reactor power plant connecting the low alloy steel pressure vessel nozzle of the main equipment and the austenitic stainless steel pipe, which is susceptible to primary water stress corrosion cracking. The welding residual tensile stress is one of the primary drivers of this stress corrosion cracking. Thus, accurate estimation of the welding residual stress distribution within the nozzle to safe-end dissimilar metal weld joint is of great significance. Investigating the welding residual stress by finite element modeling aims to ensure the structural integrity of nuclear equipments. The structures, materials and welding process characteristics of the nozzle to safe-end dissimilar metal weld joints are described. The numerical calculation works and typical processes of the residual stress distribution inside the dissimilar metal weld joints predicted by the finite element method, as well as the influence of many factors on finite element modeling residual stresses in dissimilar metal weld joints are reviewed.