The internationalization of higher education, driven by globalization, has developed structural diversity on a global scale. This study examines the theoretical and practical transformations in higher education internationalization since the millennium through a rigorous four-stage selection process guided by six inclusion criteria. Using Nvivo14 for thematic coding, 109 relevant articles from 1999 to 2024 were analyzed. On this basis, the key central themes of higher education internationalization, external influences, and the diverse participation of countries and regions in the discourse are revealed. Central concerns in the dialogue on higher education internationalization include its core nature, critical perspectives, operational practices and sustainability efforts. External factors intertwined with internationalization encompass governmental policies, ethnic and racial considerations, economic implications, cultural exchanges, and the broader context of globalization.