I know of at least one person in the UK who got their card over a week ago. He activated it and it worked immediately, however he found out that there is a limit (it's either 100 ped or $100 US, I can't remember) of withdrawl until you send MA more bank-related information (copies of passport or something to that effect) ....
So don't assume you'll be able to withdraw your millions of PED all at once when your card arrives.