Reason Liam Payne remained in Argentina before tragic death revealed

Liam Payne was "forced" to stay in Argentina over issues surrounding his visa

was in the country to see his former bandmate play a sold-out concert but his visa for the United States was said to be rejected. Payne, who died aged 31, travelled to Buenos Aires to have his "extraordinary visa" renewed, which would then enable him to travel to Florida with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.

However, sources claim that this was not granted due to his previous issues with drugs and alcohol – forcing him to remain in the Latin American country. Liam had previously discussed his struggles in the media and how he had entered rehab facilities in a bid to aid his recovery. Liam was said to be completely sober in the lead up to his death.

But now sources claim that he was due to have his visa approved on the Friday, two days after he tragically fell from the balcony of his third floor hotel room. Friends of Payne claim he had to travel abroad to renew his "O-1 non-immigration" visa and made the application at the American embassy in Buenos Aires, specifically so he could see Niall perform.

Speaking to the , a source said: "One of the questions on the form asks, 'Have you ever abused alcohol or drugs?' Liam's problems with drugs and alcohol are well documented. It is widely known that he had been to rehab in the US, so he had to tick the box, and because of this he had to have medical tests. He had to be checked out by a doctor and a psychiatrist.

"All this took time. So Liam was forced to stay in Buenos Aires longer than he had planned." His O-1 visa is reserved for artists, sportsmen and other individuals with extraordinary achievements. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the O-1 non-immigrant visa is for an "individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognised nationally or internationally for those achievements."

However, friends claim that Liam was given the all clear from the medical and psychiatric tests and his visa would have been approved. At the time of his issues, Liam was "100 per cent sober" and had a meeting at the embassy planned on Thursday to collect his visa. His friend, whose identity is not known said they had "no idea" that Liam would do "anything stupid" when they spoke.

A forensic report established that Liam had suffered 25 injuries as a result of his catastrophic fall. They also pointed out that the cranioencephalic injuries were sufficiently suitable to cause death, while the internal and external haemorrhages in the skull, thorax, abdomen and limbs contributed to the mechanism of death."

The forensic experts also considered that, having analysed his hands, no defensive injuries were found, that all the injuries on the body were life-threatening and produced at the same time, and that no injuries were observed that would suggest the intervention of third parties.