For anyone that's followed all the tutorials for deploying on the Play Store and thinks it's fast, think again. Google threw a large spanner in the works for developers with personal accounts created after 13 November 2023.
I registered my account last year, but didn't go through the final checklist and payment process until after the 13th. Now my Christmas-themed app won't be approved before next year. 😖
The bit that no-one covers in their tutorials is that after everything is published, you need at least another 3 weeks before the app will be live. (Apple took less than 48 hours.)
Developers will need to test their apps before those apps are eligible to be published for distribution on Google Play
You must run a closed test for your app with a minimum of 20 testers who have been opted-in for at least the last 14 days
Your testers need to remain opted in to your closed test for at least 14 days continuously
Once you've met the closed testing requirements, you can apply for Production Access
You must then answer questions about your closed test
After you've completed your request for access to production, Google will review your submission
When the review is complete, they'll email the account owner with an update. "This usually takes 7 days or less, but may occasionally take longer."
So yes, we're looking at about a month. If you ever find 20 willing testers.
More info here:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/14151465