Union of South Africa, 1921-1931 passport, travel to Asia & Europe

During this decade, South African passports were issued by the Union government (1910–1961), under British Commonwealth administration. Key features and context:

Passport Characteristics

• Nationality wording: Typically “British Subject” + “Union of South Africa.”

• Language: English (sometimes bilingual with Dutch before Afrikaans fully replaced it).

• Format:

  • Dark cover, usually bearing the British royal coat of arms.

  • Early versions were single-sheet folded passports; by late 1920s, the book-type format was more common across the Commonwealth.

• Validity: Often issued for 5 years, with renewals possible.

• Primary Routes

  Most travel occurred by ship, often from Cape Town, Durban, or Port Elizabeth.

  Common European destinations:

  • United Kingdom (most frequent—commonwealth ties)

  • France

  • Netherlands

  • Germany

  • Italy

  • Portugal (especially via Mozambique links)

  Typical Shipping Lines:

  • Union-Castle Line (dominant route to the UK)

  • Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie

  • Lloyd Triestino

  • Holland–Africa Line

  Visa Requirements

  • British subjects typically had easier entry into the UK.

  • Continental European countries required visas, usually stamped in the passport.

  • Many passports from this era show multiple consular stamps from France, Italy, and Germany.