I have plans to meet a friend in Paris mid-September. Before that I will be visiting Brazil. Therefore, I am considering buying a flight Brazil to France. This should satisfy the proof-of-onward-travel requirement for my Brazilian visa.
However, before visiting Brazil, I will be spending some time in Mexico, and possibly Peru. This means I don't yet know if I'll be flying to Brazil from Peru or Mexico, and I don't yet know which date I will be entering Brazil.
Is it possible, as a US citizen, to obtain my tourist visa to Brazil with only a departure date/ticket? If not, can I purchase a (cheap) entry ticket into Brazil for an early date, will I be permitted entry if I enter on a later date?