A process for welding a conductor onto a workpiece includes providing the conductor including a first metal, providing the workpiece including a second metal, removing an insulation of the conductor over a predetermined length, and forming a bead in a stripped region of the conductor. The conductor is held down on the workpiece to produce a mechanical contact in a welding region between the conductor and the workpiece. The welding region is arranged in a region of the bead. The conductor is laser welded to the workpiece in the welding region.