In October, reports emerged of a change in consular practice towards applicants who obtained Spanish residence approval, left Spain and plan to return on a new Schengen visa to give fingerprints.
Previously, some applicants left Spain before completing their documents, obtained a new Schengen visa and returned for the TIE procedure. On 23 October, cases were reported suggesting a change in approach to issuing such visas after residence approval. One case involved a family of five who needed to re-enter Spain for fingerprinting.
Detailed consular decisions and official confirmation of a general rule change are not included in the source material.
Practical takeaway: plan any departure from Spain while awaiting a decision or the TIE with possible re-entry difficulties in mind. Individual consular cases should not be read as a universal ban on Schengen visas for everyone with an approved permit.