The Central African Republic succeeded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees on 4 September 1962 and its 1967 Protocol on 30 August 1967 (hereafter jointly referred to as the 1951 Convention). CAR is not currently a State party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons nor the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

CAR is part of the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS) that allows free movement of its nationals within member states.

The National Assembly in CAR adopted the Law on the Status of Refugees in 2007. The law guarantees people fleeing conflict and persecution the right to enter CAR territory, to apply for asylum and to be recognized as refugees if they fulfil the definitions contained in the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. It also establishes an appeals commission to re-examine the cases of people who have been denied refugee status in the first instance.

In addition, the law guarantees people seeking refuge in CAR the fundamental rights elaborated in international refugee law. This means that refugees will have most of the same rights enjoyed by CAR citizens, including the rights to employment, to freedom of association, to social assistance, to health services, to education and to freedom of movement and residency.

Under this legislation, refugees cannot be expelled from the CAR or sent forcibly to a country where their life or liberty could be at threat.