Virtual internationalization of higher education is an important change in the internationalization mode of higher educa? tion triggered by the development of digital technology. Because foreign internationalization and local internationalization cannot meet the market demand, the endogenous development of international education needs the empowerment of digital technology, and the COV? ID -19 epidemic forced the internationalization mode of higher education to change, which jointly promoted the internationalization of higher education to change from the “virtual internationalization” mode after “foreign internationalization” and “local internationaliza? tion”. By combing the relevant literature at home and abroad, this paper expounds the connotation of virtual internationalization, and systematically analyzes the characteristics of virtual internationalization of higher education, including the new social cooperation rela? tionship formed by virtual internationalization, the creation of a new cross - cultural environment, and the innovative development of supporting the integration of online and offline teaching models. At the same time, the rise of new internationalization fields has also brought new challenges. The virtual internationalization of higher education needs to further deepen the construction of students' learn? ing space environment and support the high - quality and inclusive development of virtual internationalization of higher education.