

Recently, several countries in the Caribbean have opened their visa programs to accept American citizens for up to a year. The governments in Barbados and Bermuda are allowing people who can work remotely to take up residence in their country. With the way things are going in the US, this has many citizens looking to escape temporarily and permanently.
According to the Bambridge Accountants, "5,816 Americans gave up their citizenship in the first six months of 2020 which is a 1,210% increase on the prior six months to December 2019, where only 444 cases were recorded." Currently, the only two countries participating are Barbados and Bermuda, but there could be other countries that follow suit soon. Each country is introducing a program that outlines specific requirements for anyone who wants to participate with the Barbados program which opened on July 12 and Bermuda's program which opened on August 1.
So, why is this happening?
In a press release statement by Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados, he expressed a desire to create an environment that faciliated work and play for extended periods of time amid the global pandemic. "Why?" he asked rhetorically before elaborating, "Because we know that this is one of the best places on earth to be and to remain because of the care we will take to protect the people of this nation and those who are here on the island with us."
The aim of this is to offer business owners some relief during these trying times. These countries are also looking to boost their technology communities and economies. Glenn Jones, Interim CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority also stated:
"This initiative paves the way for an infusion of economic activity for local businesses (and gives us) an opportunity to share our uncrowded open spaces and coveted island lifestyle with travelers from across the globe looking to work or study remotely."
As a remote worker, why should you consider this?
Shutterstock
Over the last few months of 2020, the pandemic has caused many aspects of daily living to shift by the second. Add to that, the fact that COVID-19 is one of two pandemics Black people are currently in the midst of, with the other being racism. Living in this constantly volatile terrain is taking a toll on the mental health of Black people in this country, creating many negative impacts. For many, spending a few months in a more stable environment can possibly provide a sense of normalcy and bring about some much-needed balance.
After the death of George Floyd and the increase in messaging around #BLM, companies went on a crusade to prove they have always been about diversity and inclusion. Many times this has resulted in said companies turning to the few people of color on their teams to answer for what has been painfully obvious for years: the lack of diversity in their work environment. All of the posturing and marketing has led many Black professionals to feel unnecessary exhaustion at work. In a recent article in Fortune;
"Working abroad, these executives say they left behind the fatigue that many described as routine for Black people in corporate America: the exhaustion brought about by being asked to solve your company's diversity issues; living by the unwritten rules that dictate how you present yourself at work; having to prove every day that you deserve to be in your role. Once abroad, with the weight of their companies behind them, many Black expatriates said they felt instantly valued and treated with a level of respect and deference from their colleagues they had not known in the U.S."
As companies shift to an online model to accommodate a safe work space for their employees, this may be an ideal time to consider an extended vacation. For parents, this presents a unique opportunity with schools also shifting over to online digital learning, opening up the possibilities to study, or work, from anywhere. Both Bermuda and Barbados offer great internet service that can support any remote work situation and online school accessibility. A quick Google search shows that the cost of living is 12.48% higher in Barbados than the US but 48.83% cheaper in rent according to Numbeo.
There are many options for housing that are near or on the beach through Airbnb, with local shops and markets in close proximity. If you are not interested in the year option to stay abroad, you can also look at the 90- or 180-day option. In Barbados and Bermuda, you can stay up to 90 days with no visa if you are looking for a shorter getaway. With these options you can take as long and as short as you need. You can also commute back and forth as you like while following reentry policies. Now is a prime opportunity to take that vacation that has been sitting on your bucket list.
If you want to apply, here’s what to expect:
Shutterstock
12-Month Barbados "Welcome Stamp"
- Individuals seeking to take advantage of the new visa initiative must be earning a minimum of $50,000 USD.
- Applicants must pass a character background check.
- Make sure all standard pre-requisite requirements for documentation are up to date when application is submitted. If you are planning on staying for up to 12 months you will be required to have the necessary insurance.
- You can take a spouse as well as family members.
- Fees:
- Individual: Fee of $2,000 USD
- Family Bundle: Fee $3,000 USD (Allows more than one member of the family to work remotely)
- If you are approved for the 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp, you will be able to re-apply at least two more times to extend your visa.
12-Month Bermuda "Work From Bermuda Certificate"
- Complete the application with the application fee of $263 USD.
- Complete the Bermuda Travel Authorization process online. A $75 USD fee is required and this will include the cost of the PCR COVID-19 testing in Bermuda.
- Children that are 9 years old and younger do not have to be tested at any point and will be charged a reduced fee of $30 for Travel Authorization.
- Children 10-17 must receive parental consent to be tested. If consent is denied, the young traveler must quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
- Visitors must take a certified PCR COVID-19 test, 72 hours of departure, but no more than seven days, and obtain a negative result. This applies to adults and children aged 10 and up. Children who are 9 years old and younger are exempt but they are also subject to their adult travel companion's quarantine.
- Visitors must wear face masks when traveling to the departure airport.
- Visitors must wear face masks and practice physical social distancing at the departure airport.
Join our xoTribe, an exclusive community dedicated to YOU and your stories and all things xoNecole. Be a part of a growing community of women from all over the world who come together to uplift, inspire, and inform each other on all things related to the glow up. We drop xoNecole events and special opportunities into our Tribe first.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- Estonia, Barbados, Bermuda & Georgia Announce Digital Nomad ... ›
- 9 countries welcoming long-term visitors to live and work remotely ... ›
- How COVID-19 Could Usher in the Era of the “Digital Nomad Visa” ›
- Bermuda to allow non-residents to work remotely on island | CBR ›
- EU adds UAE, Bermuda to expanded tax haven blacklist ›
- EU adds UAE, Bermuda to expanded tax haven blacklist ›
- Want To Live And Work In Paradise? 7 Countries Inviting Americans ... ›
- Why Work From Home When You Can Work From Barbados ... ›
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
6 Tabletop Sex Positions That'll Unlock You & Bae's Most Primal Desires
Something I will never tire of is finding new ways to bring new layers to intimacy. A wall you use as momentum, a bathroom sink to help you keep your balance as he worships you on his knees, a shower that is usually for cleansing but evolves into a sacred ritual of shared intimacy.
My favorite kind of sex is the kind of sex that prioritizes pleasure and connection. So, technically and thankfully, I can say most of my sex life has been quite pleasurable throughout the years. But the memorable encounters for sure take the cake. One such encounter actually took place on a kitchen counter, and with it unleashed inhibitions in ways I never anticipated while unlocking levels to top-tier sex. And that, that involved a kitchen counter.
Why Kitchen Counter Sex Just Hits Different
What is it about having your hips pressed into the edge of a kitchen counter that lets out something so primal in you? The cool-to-the-touch feel of the countertop against exposed skin as you rise to meet him again and again. The urgency in every movement. The playfulness of repurposing an everyday space for something far more erotic. If you’re looking to bring that energy into your own sex life, keep reading for positions and tips to explore.
1. The Bounce House
They don’t call it Bounce House for nothing. In this position, the penetrating partner lies flat on their back on a sturdy table or counter while the receiving partner straddles them, knees bent and facing away. With their hands gripping the edge of the surface for support, the receiving partner slides or bounces at their own pace, owning the rhythm, the motion, and the view.
According to sex therapist Michael Aaron, Ph.D., who spoke with Women’s Health, the receiving partner placing their legs between their partner’s creates a tighter sensation, while staying fully astride allows for more bounce and range of motion. Either way, this one puts the receiver in full control, and you know we love a good woman on top position. Pleasure and power? Say less.
2. The Bicycle
Well, you know what they say about riding a bike. In the case of this table top position, it's the receiving partner who is the rider...but not in the way you think. While lying back on a sturdy surface or a table, the receiver will bring their knees toward their chest, bending them as if in a cycling motion. The penetrating partner stands at the edge of the surface, grabbing the receiver's ankles, and guides themselves inside, slowly so as to savor the moment. This angle puts everything on display for the penetrating partner while allowing for deep, connected thrusting for the receiver.
To take things up a notch , the receiving partner can touch themselves or flex their thighs to control the depth or the rhythm. Because, who says only one person gets to have control?
3. Counter Offer
How could we be at the table and not use it to eat? Enter: Counter Offer. In this oral-focused sex position, the receiving partner perches on the edge of a counter or table, lying back or sitting upright with legs parted or bent for comfort. The penetrating partner kneels or stands between their thighs, depending on the setup and the kind of attention they’re ready to give. No doubt, this one’s all about access and intention.
With the vulva front and center, the height makes it easier to maintain eye contact, use hands freely for things like breast play or incorporating toys, and take their time with every moan-inducing taste. And that’s on five, six, seven, ATE.
4. Standing Doggy
Standing Doggy is what happens when a classic like doggy style gets an upgrade. Instead of being on all fours on a bed, the receiving partner bends over a hard surface like a table or counter, keeping their hips aligned at its edge. The penetrating partner stands behind and enters from the back, using the angle to go deeper and create a strong, steady rhythm. This one offers maximum control and visual appeal, especially if the penetrating partner reaches around for a little extra clitoral stimulation throughout thrusting.
This angle can get intense quickly, so bonus points if the receiving partner engages their pelvic floor muscles or shifts their weight to adjust how the pressure hits, especially if your goal is to hit that G-spot sweet spot.
5. Top Shelf
Men's Healthcalls this one "Yourself on the Shelf," but we like to call it "Top Shelf" because it's giving full view, full grip, and climax potential that's hard to top. The receiving partner sits on the edge of a sturdy table or counter while the penetrating partner stands in front of them and slowly slides in, thrusting while keeping them in position. From there, legs can wrap around their waist, arms can encircle their back, and the closeness at peak ecstasy? Chef's kiss.
If you have the core strength, add lifting to the menu for the final strokes leading to orgasm. Otherwise, allow the surface to the heavy lifting and enjoy the pleasure.
6. The Thumper
What better way to remind yourself that you're both the snack and the entrée than with a little tableside service courtesy of The Thumper? This position has the receiving partner kneeling on a sturdy table or counter (keyword: sturdy), hands gripping the edge or braced in front for support. The penetrating partner can then either kneel behind them (if there's room for two), or stay anchored on the ground with both feet planted on the floor (similar to the previously mentioned Standing Doggy). It all depends on the mood.
Kneeling on the table offers just the right amount of leverage for deep, steady strokes. The receiving partner can play with tightness by either keeping their knees closer together for a snug grip, or open their knees wider to invite more access, depth, and stretch. The Thumper is versatile that way, and the most important thing? The receiver gets to be the main course. Yum.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock